Project name: Completion of the Excellence Centre of Animal and Human Ecology with Emphasis on Improving the Scientific Research - Stage II

ITMS Project Code: 26220120041
Operational Programme: Research and Development
Co-financing: European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the State budget of the Slovak Republic
Priority axis: 2 Support to Research and Development
Measure: 2.1 Support of networks of excellence in research and development as the pillars of regional development and support to international cooperation
Tender Code: OPVaV-2009/2.1/02-SORO

Location of the project implementation: University of Presov in Presov, Faculty of Humanities and Natural Sciences, Department of Biology, ul. 17. Novembra 1, 08001 Presov, Slovakia

Grant
Charge in full: 2 776 531, 49 €
Total eligible expenditure: 2 773 548, 52 €
Non-Refundable Financial Contribution from ERDF: 2 357 516, 24 €
Non-Refundable Financial Contribution from SR State budget: 277 354, 85 €
Co-financing by University of Presov: 138 677, 43 € (5 % from total eligible expenditure)
 
Start of the project: 02/2010
End of the project: 01/2013

Aims of the project:
·    To increase quality and potential of excellent research at University of Presov in the field of animal and human ecology.
·    To retrofit laboratories by top quality technology.
·    To support and to further improve the conditions the realization of basic research within the Excellence Centre and to increase its contribution to society and practice.
·    To increase socio-economic added value of the Excellence Centre.


Agency of the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Sports of Slovak republic for EU Structural Funds announced a tender with the code OPVaV/2009/2.1/02- SORO in the Operational Programme Research and Development in February 2009. Its priority is supporting the research and development, supporting the networks of excellence in research and development as pillars of regional development and promoting trans-regional cooperation. The aim of the Measure 2.1 is to create and support a network of excellent research, which are directly involved in the educational process, or are focused on areas of strategic importance for the further development of economy and society.
University of Presov responded to the tender announcement by submitting a project proposal. In February 2010, the demand-oriented project “Completion of the Excellence Centre of Animal and Human Ecology with emphasis on improving the scientific research - Stage II" with ITMS: 26220120041 was launched. Funds raised through the project were used for the following purposes:


Construction works       
In 2010, reconstruction works started with the aim to create new laboratories of the Excellence Centre (EC). The premises were rebuilt and modernized to meet the strict hygiene and labour standards essential for proper laboratory practice, as well as strict environmental and safety criteria in individual laboratories.

Laboratory equipment and instrumentation
Laboratories were equipped by modern experimental infrastructure to meet advanced international standards in technological scientific equipment.

Improvement of staffing
Concentration of top laboratory equipment created space for scientists, teachers, PhD students, and also undergraduate students to perform research using the equipment at the level of European and world leading research institutions.

Promotion of the Excellence Centre
Excellence Centre is promoted to public via a regularly updated web page (www.unipo.sk/ceezc), promotional materials (brochures, fliers) and by the yearly open day. Lectures and seminars are organized for students of University of Presov and excursions for students of secondary and high schools.

Time frame of project implementation