An interview with Dr Jürgen Lucas

In May 2010, we interviewed the European Commission Project Officer for NovelQ, Dr Jürgen Lucas. Dr Jürgen Lucas works at Directorate-General Research, Directorate E – Biotechnologies, Agriculture and Food, Unit E.3 – Food, Health and Well-being in Brussels. We asked about European Commission activities, project opportunities in the food processing area and about the added-value for an industry partner in participation in a European project. The interviewers underline the new approach of the EC towards industry, in particular SMEs.

Could you give a short summary of the activities of your unit in DG Research as well as your role in European R&D? “The role of our unit is to ensure that sound EU research with high European added-value is funded and managed, which will address the challenge of securing the availability of safe, nutritious and affordable food.

Our activities are embedded within the theme ‘Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, Biotechnology’, which supports further consolidation and development of a sustainable European Knowledge Based Bio-Economy (KBBE). All aspects covering the food chain are approached within our part of the theme, thereby responding to the vision of EU2020 (http://ec.europa.eu/eu2020/index_en.htm) by building links with other important policy areas such as competitiveness and innovation, greening of the EU economy, public health, environment, food and energy security and raw material supply.

As a unit, we cover the whole project cycle of multinational European research projects in the food area. When we start writing a new work programme (where all research topics are included foreseen to be funded), we collect all possible input about the new research topics. The draft work programme is discussed with the Advisory Group and the Programme Committee. Whereas the Advisory Group consists of independent scientific and industrial experts, the Programme Committee is exclusively composed of representatives of the 27 Member States and the 13 Associated Countries. The role of both groups is to advise on future strategic lines, propose new research topics and give feedback on the draft version(s) of the new work programme.

When the work programme has been cleared by the Programme Committee, and approved by the Commission, a call for new project proposals is published on Cordis (http://cordis.europa.eu).

The European Commission tries to explain in the call text the main scope of the work programme topics, requirements, funding conditions, etc. However, the Commission is not involved in building up consortia.

During the submission stage, we prepare for the proposal evaluation. We consult the EMM (Expert Management Module, https://cordis.europa.eu/emmfp7) database – published at the Cordis website – to find independent evaluators. We check their availability and possible conflicts-of-interest with the submitted proposals.

The evaluation is carried out in two steps; firstly, a remote evaluation via a web-based tool and, subsequently, the same experts meet in Brussels for consensus discussions on each proposal.

When the project proposal has passed the evaluation stage successfully, the main submitting organisation (the project co-ordinator) receives an invitation to contract negotiations, which is about the scientific, legal and financial aspects of the project. After signing the EU grant agreement, the project receives a first payment and can start its activities.

It takes about two to two-and-half years from the first draft of a work programme to the start of project activities.”

How can industrial organisations get involved in this whole process?

“As mentioned, a number of individual industrial (and academic) experts are already involved in the work programme writing phase via the Advisory Group. In addition, the European Technology Platform ‘Food for Life’ is one of the important discussion partners for the Commission. The Platform unites various stakeholders from agriculture, food processing, supply and ingredient industries, retail, catering, consumers and academia (http://etp.ciaa.eu). SMEs as well as large enterprises are welcome to become partners in the project consortia. To encourage a number of participating (small) companies in the EU projects, participation of SMEs is made a requirement in some topics.”

What is the importance of European research, innovation and science in the AgriFood sector compared to other sectors?

“According to CIAA figures, R&D investment in research and development represented 0.37 per cent of turnover of the food and drink industry in 2009, which is low compared to other sectors (e.g. pharmaceutics, or ICT) and other developed countries. The European Commission helps by paving the way to foster higher private research investment, also involving SMEs.”

In one of the 6th Framework Programme calls, the EC published a topic on incremental innovations in novel processing. NovelQ was funded through this call. Could you explain what the term ‘incremental innovation’ means?

“We should not expect any ‘big bangs’ or radical innovations in the area of food science via one project alone, comparable to the development of an 800 seat aircraft. For incremental innovations, we should strive to consolidate product development processes, make processes more cost-effective and sustainable and improve the organisation of the food chain. However, food science does lead to some radical innovations; think about spray dried coffee, which was really a huge change for the consumers. Another example is the general introduction of the household refrigerator.”

How far can you go in innovation with public money? Did NovelQ do the right thing?

“I would say that NovelQ has delivered what was within its objectives. Innovation can be achieved through adaptation of technology or, for example, food composition. We have included a topic in the FP7 Work Programme 2011, which was published in July 2010, on the reduction of salt, sugar and fat in foods. The topic is supported by policy and industry; it is of societal relevance and will lead to innovation. I see this as a very suitable research topic with high European added-value, and surely justified for spending public funds on.”

What is your opinion about industry participation in EU Food research in general, and specifically within NovelQ?

“Industry participation is not an objective in its own right, but should always be seen as a means leading to more innovation, which is crucial for Europe. To attract a higher number of SMEs to our projects, we have put figures against the financial contribution — and hence participation in research — going to SMEs in the work programme. This has already been applied in other themes of the Seventh Framework Programmes – for example within Health. In addition, some topics have been written in such a way as to avoid limiting the research subject, so the consortia, both academia and companies, can bring their own ideas to the project.”

What we have learned from NovelQ is that for the successful participation of SMEs in EU-funded projects, a strong link is needed between SME and (research) organisations with experience in European R&D programmes. Do you agree?

“It is difficult for SMEs to do the job by themselves. And when negotiating projects with SMEs, I recommend that each SME has a strong link with a research organisation, preferably one speaking the same language, to help and support them with both the scientific and the administrative part of the project.”

What highlights and research examples within NovelQ are – in your opinion – worth mentioning and further exploring?

“Let me mention the multidisciplinary approach of NovelQ. Links between food technology and nutrition, or food technology and packaging, have been set up in order to reach common objectives in the field of novel processing.

When we mention the need for a multi – disciplinary approach in our call topics, we often hear that it is difficult to create this link with other R&D areas. However, we are convinced that by linking different disciplines within a research consortium, the chances for success and innovation increase considerably. In fact, since the 6th Framework Programme, we insist on having consumer research in projects on food development because developing a new food without knowing what the consumers think of it does not make sense.”

Other Directorate-Generals (DGs) in the European Commission also contribute to research programmes. Do you provide them with the information coming out of your projects?

“It is our task to inform our colleagues from other DGs about our projects. For example, there is an expert committee on agricultural and process contaminants in DG Health and Consumers. The former project HEATOX, which dealt with the formation of acrylamide during food processing, was of major importance to them. Representatives from HEATOX have been invited to committee meetings several times; we also sent them the final publishable report of HEATOX.

Another example is the platform on physical activity and health from DG Health and Consumers, which also looks very carefully at the results from our projects. DG Enterprise and Industry receives information about our projects about chemicals and nanotechnology, which they need to do, for example, nano – technology risk assessments.”

Is the food industry – and related industries (e.g. technology providers) – sufficiently involved in providing relevant topics for the European R&D agenda?

“This is one example of tasks for the European Technology Platforms (ETPs) such as ‘Food for Life’. We also rely on, among others, the CIAA (Confederation of Food and Drink Industries, http://www.ciaa.be/asp/index.asp); they are comprised of the big players as well as associations of small companies. However, only looking at food manufacturers would give us a limited view. It is the task of all of the Scientific Officers at DG Research to constantly keep in contact with all stakeholders such as universities, research organisations, the industry and consumers by, for example, attending congresses and reading relevant journals or assessing the progress of the ongoing research projects.”

What kind of recommendation would you give to readers of New Food regarding research, innovation and science in Europe?

“Be full actors in pushing new research ideas and projects at a high scientific level for more innovation in Europe. Information is a key aspect for this, and consequently check websites such as the one of the KBBE (http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/kbbe/home_en.html).

Also, please check the Cordis website, in particular the Cordis newswire, because everything that is new and relevant in DG Research including information from the projects is published there. This is the best way to stay informed and learn who to contact.”

If New Food readers are interested in applying for an EU grant, what would be your practical tips about how to begin?

“I understand it is difficult for an interested person or organisation, be it from academia or the industry, to begin without having support from someone who is experienced, who knows how a proposal should be written, how the evaluation is carried out, how a project is coordinated.

Anybody who is interested in applying for a grant should also consider working as an evaluator at least once. This is a valuable experience and it gives you an opportunity to learn more about proposal writing. Naturally, it is a paid job; if you want to consider acting as an evaluator, please enter your data into the expert database.

Any interested organisation should also contact their national contact point (NCP). The NCPs have regular contact with the Commission, they are well informed about the new calls and project opportunities; they know about different programmes, and can help you finding project partners, etc.

In conclusion, all academic and industrial organisations are most welcome to become project partners. This holds for SMEs and large enterprises as well as for associations. Stepping into a European project enables all project partners – thanks to the financial support from the European Commission – to share and transfer knowledge Europe-wide as well as receiving the latest insights in R&D. The experience of a multinational European research project has always been considered a benefit by the participants, both academia and enterprises.”