Third funding round propels expansion efforts

The German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig has been granted further funding from the German Research Foundation (DFG) for its third funding phase. This continuation of support will enable iDiv to continue its crucial work in addressing the global biodiversity crisis.

The state of Saxony-Anhalt is committed to ensuring iDiv's permanence and supporting its development. In recognition of its success, the state will provide an additional 4 million euros to support the focus and profile development of biodiversity research at the University of Halle during the third funding period.

The annual funding for iDiv is approximately 11.5 million euros, representing a 26% increase over the second funding phase. This increased funding will allow iDiv to expand its graduate school, which currently has almost 80 doctoral researchers. The expansion will include a programme for postdoctoral researchers in the new funding phase.

iDiv aims to assess this global crisis, research its consequences, and show ways to sustainably manage biodiversity. With over 1000 scientists from 60 countries having travelled to Leipzig for various projects, iDiv has earned an outstanding international reputation.

The universities of Halle, Jena, and Leipzig, along with the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) and other non-university partners, are combining their expertise to combat the loss of biodiversity. The partners of iDiv include Leipzig University, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, the Friedrich Schiller University Jena, and several Leibniz and Max Planck Institutes.

Thuringia is committed to securing the structures established for after the final DFG funding period ends. The institutions contributing as partners have decided to ensure the continuation of the national centre of excellence for biodiversity after the end of the DFG funding.

The state of Saxony has invested a significant amount of money in the construction of a new research building and research greenhouse at iDiv's central location in Leipzig. The tools used by iDiv's biodiversity researchers range from satellites to smartphone apps, DNA sequencers, high-performance computers, and construction cranes.

The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) has reported that up to one million species are threatened with extinction. Biodiversity research is becoming a scientific discipline in its own right, and the state of Saxony-Anhalt encourages students to study in Halle, Jena, or Leipzig with world-leading scientists to help shape the future. From the winter semester of 2021, a master's programme in biodiversity research will start at the University of Halle.

The DFG funding for iDiv will continue beyond 2024. iDiv has set up and networked research platforms such as the Leipzig Canopy Crane, the iDiv Ecotron, and virtual data platforms, primarily in Central Germany. These platforms will continue to play a crucial role in iDiv's research efforts.

The reviewers have highlighted iDiv's success as confirmation that important contributions to the issue of achieving biodiversity can be made with successful prioritization of focus, a strong consortium, and intelligent research policy interaction. With this continued support, iDiv is well-positioned to continue making significant strides in biodiversity research.