University of Maragheh Joins National Biotechnology Megaproject Executing Institutions

This accomplishment has been realized through joint cooperation between the Iran National Science Foundation (INSF) and the Biotechnology and Stem Cells Development Headquarters, in partnership with the university. The agreement aims to synergize the nation’s scientific capacities and address strategic needs in the biotechnology sector, according to the PR Department of the University of Maragheh.

The national Biotechnology Task Division initiative is one of the country’s most important large-scale scientific programs. It seeks to develop a roadmap for the future of biotechnology, organize national academic capacities, specialize the missions of research centers, and accelerate the development of strategic technologies in health, agriculture, environment, and industry.

Within this framework, major national challenges in the field of biotechnology are identified by the Headquarters as the policymaking body. For each challenge, a dedicated national megaproject is formed and assigned to selected universities based on their scientific expertise and existing infrastructure.

According to the operational mechanism of the program, each megaproject is led by a faculty member serving as the “Project Leader.” The leader is responsible for dividing the megaproject into smaller sub-projects, assigning tasks among researchers, and overseeing implementation until the defined goals are achieved.

The execution process for these sub-projects begins after the initial submission of proposals in the program’s specialized online platform. Proposals undergo preliminary screening by the Steering Committee and are evaluated based on criteria such as alignment with the megaproject objectives, the capability of the research team, and contribution to completing the biotechnology innovation ecosystem.

S. Seyfi