11 projects mark the start of NRP 84

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NRP 84's first call selected 11 pioneering projects tackling biosafety, public acceptance and legal gaps in agricultural innovation in Switzerland. Research starts mid-2025.

The first call for proposals under the new NRP 84 attracted submissions from researchers at Swiss universities, the Federal Institutes of Technology, and the Swiss Centre of Excellence for Agricultural Research (Agroscope). It focused on three interdisciplinary modules: biological feasibility (Module 1), ethics, society and economy (Module 2), and regulatory considerations (Module 3).

A total of 17 pre-proposals were submitted to the SNSF, of which 14 were invited to proceed with full proposals. After a rigorous evaluation process, 11 projects were approved by the Research Council by the end of 2024. Most of the selected proposals are rooted in the fields of biological sciences, economics and law, or interdisciplinary combinations of these areas.

The selected projects showcase a broad spectrum of interdisciplinary approaches. For instance, Module 1 projects include developing transgene-free, disease-resistant apples and vines tailored to Swiss conditions, as well as drought- and pest-resistant potatoes. Other initiatives focus on leveraging beneficial plant-microbe interactions to reduce reliance on fertilisers and exploring the genetic potential of heirloom and orphan crops like buckwheat. Module 2 projects will explore public perceptions of new breeding technologies, examine consumer acceptance of innovative crops in practical settings, and investigate how societal values shape the adoption of agricultural innovations. Meanwhile, Module 3 efforts will address legal gaps in Swiss and international law, assess overlaps in plant variety protection systems, and propose risk-based regulations to facilitate sustainable innovation.

The research phase of the selected projects is scheduled to start by mid-2025.