Forest Reproductive Material Testing and EU-Aligned Laboratory Research | HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-10

The Ukrainian Institute for Plant Variety Examination (UIPVE) is seeking European research partners and consortia to strengthen scientific and laboratory capacities for forest reproductive material (FRM) testing, genetic characterization, and quality assessment in support of Ukraine’s forest recovery and EU integration.

UIPVE offers extensive institutional expertise in plant variety evaluation, laboratory testing of reproductive material, molecular genetic analysis, phenotypic characterization, standardized testing methodologies, and research quality management. This expertise provides a strong foundation for developing and validating laboratory approaches applicable to forest seeds, planting stock, and forest genetic resources.

Our proposed cooperation is particularly relevant to Regulation (EU) 2026/1392 on the production and marketing of forest reproductive material, which strengthens EU requirements concerning material quality, identity, origin, traceability, certification, and adaptation to climatic and ecological conditions.

UIPVE can contribute to collaborative research through:

• Laboratory testing of forest reproductive material: adaptation and validation of methodologies for assessing seed purity, germination, viability, thousand-seed weight, and other quality indicators.

• Molecular genetic analysis: development and application of DNA-based methods for genetic identification, characterization of forest genetic diversity, and research on provenance and genetic authenticity.

• Standardization of analytical methodologies: development of harmonized laboratory protocols, comparative testing procedures, and scientifically validated quality assessment methods.

• Laboratory quality assurance: expertise in documented procedures, sample traceability, data integrity, laboratory quality management, and interlaboratory cooperation.

• Research supporting EU regulatory alignment: scientific and methodological contributions to Ukraine's adaptation to European requirements for forest reproductive material testing and quality assurance.

• Institutional capacity building: knowledge transfer, joint research, training, and cooperation between Ukrainian and European laboratories and research institutions.

UIPVE is particularly interested in establishing partnerships that combine its existing laboratory and molecular research capabilities with specialized European expertise in forest reproductive material testing and forest genetics.

We seek collaboration with forest research institutes, universities, forest seed laboratories, national forestry authorities, genetic resource centres, and organizations involved in forest restoration and biodiversity conservation.

Our objective is to contribute to a scientifically robust, EU-aligned framework for assessing the quality and genetic characteristics of forest reproductive material, supporting the restoration, resilience, and sustainable management of Ukraine's forests.