HDHL-INTIMIC (INtesTInal MICrobiomics) is a proposal for an ERA-NET Cofund in the field of food, nutrition and health to support the Joint Programming Initiative "A Healthy Diet for a Healthy Life" (JPI HDHL). There is a high burden of non-communicable diseases due to unhealthy diet and lifestyle patterns. The intestine and in particular the intestinal microbiota have an influence on metabolic processes, thereby contributing to the development of lifestyle-related diseases. The 26 members of the JPI HDHL are working together to develop means to (1) motivate people to adopt healthier lifestyles including dietary choices and physical activity, (2) develop and produce healthy, high-quality, safe and sustainable foods and (3) prevent diet-related diseases. Since 2012, JPI HDHL has implemented seven Joint Funding Actions (JFAs) with around 45 M€ national funding. In addition, the first ERA-NET Cofund under the umbrella of JPI HDHL, ERA-HDHL, has recently started, implementing an EC cofunded call on Biomarkers on Nutrition and Health with a committed budget of around 12 M€. Building on these achievements, HDHL-INTIMIC will now further enhance the collaboration between JPI member countries and between the JPI and the EC by providing a platform for implementing further JFAs that address the needs identified in the JPI HDHL Strategic Research Agenda. In particular, a transnational Knowledge Platform on the interrelation of diet, intestinal microbiomics and health will be implemented via an EC cofunded call and an additional JFA. For this, the JPI HDHL members countries have increased their financial commitments comparing to a previous JFA on a similar topic, including also new partners in these activities. Moreover, HDHL-INTIMIC will launch 1-2 other additional JFAs in line to fulfil JPI HDHL objectives.

The aim of the ERA-GAS Cofund is to strengthen the transnational coordination of research programmes and provide added value to research and innovation on greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation in the European Research Area. ERA-GAS will organise a single joint transnational call for proposals with cofunding from the European Commission (EC). In addition, ERA-GAS will undertake additional joint activities including at least one other joint call without EC cofunding. By pooling national money and funding projects at a European/international level, ERA-GAS will achieve a critical mass for funding GHG research, thereby reducing duplication, harmonising research effort and making more efficient use of limited resources. Greater cooperation will enhance innovation capacity in the European Research Area and encourage the development of enabling solutions to reduce GHG emissions and improve inventories. ERA-GAS will work closely with other ERA-NETs and reinforce existing collaborations between actors in the research area (e.g. via FACCE-JPI and the GRA). A plan will also be drawn up for future collaborative actions to ensure that enhanced cooperation will be maintained past the lifetime of the ERA-NET. Through collaboration in this ERA-NET and additional joint activities, partners in the consortium will exchange experience and gain insight into other national/regional research programmes. This will help managers to follow best practice in terms of implementing international funding calls and harmonise research and policy agendas across nations. The objectives of ERA-GAS will directly address the scope of the Work Programme by incentivising participating countries to commit resources towards the development of a sustainable, innovative and more GHG efficient bioeconomy in Europe. This transnational effort is urgently required to develop mitigation solutions, refine reporting mechanisms and design policy instruments necessary to tackle this key global environmental challenge.