ENDURE’s original staff mobility plan was designed to contribute to strengthening the capacity and competitiveness of crop protection research in Europe, in particular research relating to the implementation of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Backed by substantial funding, it achieved this by encouraging, supporting and coordinating staff mobility both within the network and from institutions in International Cooperation Partner Countries (ICPC).

In total, 64 young, intermediate and senior scientists participated in internal mobility plans between 2007 and 2010, representing almost 125 person-months in total. This included, for example, 12 researchers from Poland's Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute who were able to improve their knowledge and skills at partner institutions elsewhere in Europe.

In addition, 14 scientists, selected because their position allowed them to establish lasting collaborations with the ENDURE hosting institution, received ICPC grants. They came from institutions in South America (seven researchers), Africa (five researchers), Russia and Ukraine.

From 2011, ENDURE’s mobility work will continue to be led by Maurizio Sattin (pictured above left) of CNR (National Research Council) in Italy, but will focus on:

• Facilitating staff secondment between ENDURE institutions.
• Informing and encouraging ENDURE institutions to apply to calls for mobility grants financed by external sources.

You can find more details in the new ENDURE Mobility pages.