FAQs

1. What is Transnational Access (TNA)?

Transnational Access (TNA) serves as a critical gateway for researchers, enabling them to tap into advanced Research Infrastructures (RIs) spread in several countries. Within the MICROBES-4-CLIMATE (M4C) initiative, TNA is instrumental at providing researchers and users the access to state-of-the-art infrastructures, thereby providing the tools, services, and data needed to drive scientific innovation. Through the leverage of these resources, TNA helps fuel curiosity-driven research and promotes groundbreaking discoveries within climate-related microbial studies.

The MICROBES-4-CLIMATE TNA programme is designed to transcend geographical limitations, to encourage global collaboration and significantly accelerate the scientific progress. By unparalleled support to the researchers, this programme facilitates the access to essential resources and expertise, certifying that high-impact research can be conducted efficiently and effectively.

The key principles of the M4C TNA programme are:

– Access to high-quality Research Infrastructures (RIs) – Researchers are granted access to top-tier RIs that are equipped with the latest technologies and methodologies. These specialised infrastructures enable a holistic approach to climate-related microbial research.

– Tailored Services for Researchers – The programme is committed to meet the specific needs of researchers by providing customised services. This includes the offer of the necessary tools, resources, and support to ensure that research is conducted at the highest possible standard, from initial conception through to its final analysis.

– Quality management and rigorous standards – A robust quality management framework underpins the TNA programme, with strict adherence to rigorous standards. This guarantees that all the research activities are not only effective but also consistent with international best practices.

– Ethical guidelines and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) – Ethical considerations are central to the M4C TNA programme. All research activities are conducted with a strong commitment to ethical guidelines, ensuring that they are performed responsibly and with respect for intellectual property rights. This guarantees that the research outcomes are both ethically sound and legally protected.

2. Why apply for TNA?

The TNA programme provides researchers the free access to cutting-edge services, facilities, and technologies, removing financial barriers to high-quality research. It offers flexible access modes, from in-person to remote, allowing researchers to work in the most convenient way. TNA also promotes interdisciplinary and cross-border collaboration, by interconnecting researchers with global experts. The access to exclusive testing environments contributes for high-quality research and impact, turning the TNA an invaluable resource for advancing scientific endeavors.


The offer includes workflows of integrated services and joint/cross-RI services, based on facilities, resources, data, expertise and know-how in the fields of microbial resources, plant sciences, agriculture and food production, forestry, climate, environment, biodiversity and data science.

3. Who can apply?

PhD students, Postdocs, Researchers working/studying from academic/research institutions, non-profit organizations, industries or companies with a legal affiliation with their home institution during the period of the access.


Users should have the complete support and validation of their home institution.


The fast-track access for Ukrainian researchers from government-controlled territories will be facilitated.

4. What is covered by TNA support?

Microbes-4-Climate funds you access to:

Facilities:
– Access to laboratories (wet and dry) experimental facilities and expertise from specialised support staff
– Travel expenses are sponsored supported by the TNA programme
– In-person access

Services:
– Linked to top-level expertise and platforms, including phylogenomic studies, taxonomy, in vitro characterization of antimicrobial activities along with training activities as well as scientific and/or technical support
– In-person and/or remote access

Products:
– Access to a broad diversity of microorganisms and their derivatives with shipping fees are sponsored by the TNA programme

5. What to expect once a proposal has been awarded TNA?

Selected users will be contacted by the M4C team to make arrangements for the implementation of their projects and will be assisted throughout the whole duration of transnational access.