XFEL: EU research network HALRIC begins

The European Union is strengthening cooperation between Germany and southern Scandinavia through an 11 million euros funding project for the life sciences. The money will be distributed to the Hanseatic Life Science Research Infrastructure Consortium (HALRIC), formed of universities, hospitals, research institutions, business clusters and regional governments from Germany, Sweden, Denmark and Norway. HALRIC will use large scale research facilities such as the European XFEL and DESY’S PETRA III to drive new research and innovation.

The life sciences, including medical and biological technology as well as the pharmaceutical industry, play a very important role in Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein, employing over 50 000 people and generating more than three billion euros annually. International collaborative programs like HALRIC will strengthen the life sciences, promoting long-lasting cross-border cooperation between regions and cities.

Hamburg's Science Senator Katharina Fegebank says, "In these turbulent times, cross-border cooperation in science and research is of utmost importance and sends a strong signal. I am pleased that we can continue our close transnational cooperation between the Hamburg metropolitan region, Greater Copenhagen and Skåne. The project will promote innovative research projects between universities, research institutions and industry. It will also further advance a strategic forum for innovative ideas and developments in the life sciences and strengthen the science ecosystem. With complementary research infrastructures, this collaboration will help us further position the region as a world leader in life sciences."

Unique X-ray sources such as the European XFEL can drive forward growth and innovation in the life sciences, providing new understanding of biology and biotechnology that have great impact on society. Robert Feidenhans’l, managing director of European XFEL says "We are very much looking forward to participating in HALRIC. The research network enables us to further expand the successful cooperation with the Scandinavian countries in the life sciences and with the research institutions and companies represented in the Medicon Valley Alliance.”

Read the full press release: https://www.hamburg.de/bwfgb/17064360/eu-forschungsverbund-halric-startet/ 

Press Contact
Bernd Ebeling
Tel: +49-40-8998-6921
E-mail: bernd.ebeling@xfel.eu