Tree Health and Plant Biosecurity Initiative

Tender description

TREE HEALTH AND PLANT BIOSECURITY INITIATIVE The Living With Environmental Change (LWEC) Partnership announces a call for expressions of interest for the third phase of the Tree Health and Plant Biosecurity Initiative (THAPBI). The first phase of the initiative supported a number of short-term capacity- and consortium-building awards. The second phase funded seven longer and larger research projects. This third call invites expressions of interest for scientifically excellent, relevant research that will inform policy and practice to address either (i) threats to the health of oak, or (ii) threats to trees from Phytophthora. The funders expect to support one project on each topic at a cost not exceeding £1M per project (at 80% of full economic cost (FEC)). Expressions of interest should aim to understand the specified threats to tree health and associated ecosystems, and to inform their management in the context of interactions with the broader environment and economic and social systems - including the development of approaches potentially transferable to other tree pests or diseases. They must be integrative and interdisciplinary, combining high-quality biological, environmental and social science, and drawing on the full range of available research capabilities. Collaborations are particularly encouraged between researchers with established skills in tree or forest health and others with complementary expertise from the wider relevant research communities.