Funding for First International Conference + Workshop 5 +  Workshop 6

September 2024

Valladolid – Spain

KEY DATES

    • Final date to apply for funding: 5th July 2024.
    • Notification of selected abstracts and funding results (if applicable, in the form of reimbursement): 15th July 2024
    • Early bird registration (for the Conference): 30th June 2024.
Presentation

This is a call for participating at the 1st Photorefineries Conference and the 5th and 6th Workshops in the frame of WGs 1 and 3 of the COST action (CA21146) – PURPLEGAIN.

  • 1st International Conference on Novel PhotoRefineries for Resource Recovery-PHOTOREFINERIES 2024, 9-11 September 2024, Valladolid-Spain
  • 5th Workshop (WG3), 11 September 2024, Valladolid-Spain – “Market PPB technologies and products based on sustainable biorefineries”
  • 6th Workshop (WG1), 13 September 2024, Valladolid-Spain – “Integrating ecological, metabolic and modelling insights in engineered phototrophic communities for PPB derived processes development and control”. 

Organizing committee 5th Workshop:  Dr. Raul Muñoz Torre (Grant Awarding Coordinator and head of the local organizing committee), Dr. Daniel Puyol (Chair), Dr. Joana Fradinho (Vice Chair), Dr Luisa Gouveia (Working Group 3 Leader), Dr. Vasileia Vasilaki, Dr. Jana Klopcheska, Dr. Senka Vidovic (WG3 co-Leaders), Dr. Ioanna Vasiliadou (Training Schools Coordinator).

Organizing committee 6th Workshop:  Dr. Raul Muñoz Torre (Grant Awarding Coordinator and head of the local organizing committee), Dr. Daniel Puyol (Chair), Dr. Joana Fradinho (Vice Chair), Dr. Baptiste Leroy (Working Group 1 Leader), Dr. Arpita Bose (WG1 co-Leader), Dr. Ioanna Vasiliadou (Training Schools Coordinator).

Organizing Committee 1st Conference PHOTOREFINERIES 2024:  Dr. Raul Muñoz, Dr. Maria del Rosario Rodero, Dr. Daniel Puyol.

    COST Action

    COST Action CA21146

    COST Action CA21146 is a four-year networking action that aims at creating a European network to share information, facilitating technology and knowledge transfer between the academic and industrial sectors, related to Purple Photosynthetic Bacteria (PPB) applications for resource recovery from organic waste sources. Resource recovery includes wastewater or organic waste, open or closed environments, in single or chain processes.

    The network associates fundamental-focused and applied research groups, improving lab-scale technology optimization through mechanistic modelling. It benefits the technology transfer from applied-research groups to industry, considerably improving process design. PURPLEGAIN also aims to create a database for techno- economic, social and environmental impacts studies, which facilitates the marketability of both the PPB-based technologies and the products to extract. Some focused products are polyhydroxyalkanoates, single-cell proteins, biomass for energy, biomass as fertilizer, biohydrogen, carotenoids, terpenoids, organic acids, coenzyme Q10, and 5- aminolevulinic acid.

    Accordingly, the 5th workshop in the frame of Working group 3, which coordinates the “Metabolic, biochemical, and biophysical mechanisms of PPB and mathematical models” and the 6th workshop in the frame of Working group 1, which coordinates the “Building the PPB value chain”, are focused on market PPB technologies and products based on sustainable biorefineries (WG3) and integrating ecological, metabolic and modelling insights in engineered phototrophic communities for PPB derived processes development and control (WG1).

    COST

    COST is an intergovernmental framework for European Cooperation in Science and Technology established to initiate networking and coordination of nationally funded research activities on a European level. It facilitates bringing good scientists together under light strategic guidance based on networks, called COST Actions, centred around research projects in fields that are of interest to COST countries and cooperating countries.

    1st International Conference on Novel Photo(Bio)Refineries for Resource Recovery-PHOTOREFINERIES 2024

    Call for participating

    This is a call for participating in the 1st Conference PHOTOREFINERIES 2024

    This event represents the first conference of the European COST Action PURPLE GAIN.  The conference will gather scientists, engineers and practitioners to exchange the latest knowledge on the application of photocatalysis and microbial photosynthesis for the upcycling of carbon and nutrients,  covering from the fundamentals of organic and inorganic (CO2) carbon conversion to green chemicals and fuels, to the engineering and up-scaling of novel photo(bio)reactors for resource recovery. The opportunity to bring together expertise in both chemical and biological catalysts powered by solar light to convert residual streams into added value products in a single event constitutes a unique discussion platform of the latest scientific discoveries and practical applications, in a field of research that has exponentially increased over the past decade as a result of the need to implement circular economy and sustainable processes.

    More information about the Conference:

    https://funge-uva.symposium.events/108692/section/47479/1st-international-conference-on-novel-photorefineries-for-resource-recovery-2024.html

    Venue

    The 5th and 6th Workshops in the frame of WGs 1 and 3 of the COST action (CA21146) – PURPLEGAIN will take place in Valladolid, Spain, at two different venues within the University of Valladolid.

    The 1st Conference PHOTOREFINERIES scheduled 9-11th September, and the 5th Workshop, scheduled on 11th September, will be held at the Conde Ansúrez congress Palace.

    Palacio de Congresos Conde Ansúrez                 
    C/Real de Burgos, s/n
    47011 Valladolid

    Maps Location

    The 6th Workshop, schedule on 13th September, will be held at the School of Industrial Engineering (Dr. Mergelina)

    University of Valladolid
    School of Industrial Engineering (Dr. Mergelina)
    Pso. Prado de la Magdalena 3-5 47011 Valladolid

    Maps Location

    5th Workshop – Market PPB technologies and products based on sustainable biorefineries

    Call for participating

    This is a call for participating in the 5th Workshop

    5th Workshop (WG3), 11 September 2024, Valladolid-Spain  – “Market PPB technologies and products based on sustainable biorefineries”

    Organizing committee 5th WorkshopDr. Raul Muñoz Torre (Grant Awarding Coordinator and head of the local organizing committee), Dr. Daniel Puyol (Chair), Dr. Joana Fradinho (Vice Chair), Dr Luisa Gouveia (Working Group 3 Leader), Dr. Vasileia Vasilaki, Dr. Jana Klopcheska, Dr. Senka Vidovic (WG3 co-Leaders), Dr. Ioanna Vasiliadou (Training Schools Coordinator).

    Key dates

    • Final date to apply for funding: 4th July 2024.
    • Communication, confirmation and funding (if applicable in the form of reimbursement): 15th July 2024.
    • Early bird registration: 30th July 2024.

    We invite participation in this interdisciplinary workshop from all academic disciplines (PhD student, young researchers, post-doctoral and senior researchers, professors) and other stakeholders.

    Contributors and attendees could apply for financial support (see financial support section).

    Program

    The proposed program for 5th is as follows:

    “Market PPB technologies and products based on sustainable biorefineries”

    Registration 8:30-9:00

    Topic 1:  Technologies development – From Tech to Market

    First session 9:00 – 13:00

    Key-note speaker

    45 min presentation 15 min discussion

     

    Invited speaker

    20 min presentation 10 min discussion

     

    Cost Coffee

    – Collaborative activities for the attendees, in line with the keynote and invited speakers’ talks

    Lunch 13:00-14:30

    Topic 2: Product development

    Second session 14:30 – 18:30

    Key-note speaker

    45 min presentation 15 min discussion

     

    Invited speaker

    20 min presentation 10 min discussion

     

    Cost Coffee

    – Speed dating, poster session

    Venue

    The 5th and 6th Workshops in the frame of WGs 1 and 3 of the COST action (CA21146) – PURPLEGAIN will take place in Valladolid, Spain, at two different venues within the University of Valladolid.

    The 1st Conference PHOTOREFINERIES scheduled 9-11th September, and the 5th Workshop, scheduled on 11th September, will be held at the Conde Ansúrez congress Palace.

    Palacio de Congresos Conde Ansúrez                 
    C/Real de Burgos, s/n
    47011 Valladolid

    Maps Location

    The 6th Workshop, schedule on 13th September, will be held at the School of Industrial Engineering (Dr. Mergelina)

    University of Valladolid
    School of Industrial Engineering (Dr. Mergelina)
    Pso. Prado de la Magdalena 3-5 47011 Valladolid

    Maps Location

    6th Workshop – Integrating ecological, metabolic and modelling insights in engineered phototrophic communities for PPB derived processes development and control

    Call for participating

    This is a call for participating in the 6th Workshop

    6th Workshop (WG1), 13 September 2024, Valladolid-Spain – “Integrating ecological, metabolic and modelling insights in engineered phototrophic communities for PPB derived processes development and control”

    Organizing committee 6th Workshop: Dr. Raul Muñoz Torre (Grant Awarding Coordinator and head of the local organizing committee), Dr. Daniel Puyol (Chair), Dr. Joana Fradinho (Vice Chair), Dr. Baptiste Leroy (Working Group 1 Leader), Dr. Arpita Bose (WG1 co-Leader), Dr. Ioanna Vasiliadou (Training Schools Coordinator).

    Key dates

    • Final date to apply for funding: 4th July 2024.
    • Communication, confirmation and funding (if applicable in the form of reimbursement): 15th July 2024.
    • Early bird registration: 30th July 2024.

    We invite participations to this interdisciplinary workshop from all academic disciplines (PhD student, young researchers, post-doctoral and senior researchers, professors) and other stakeholders.

    Contributors and attendees could apply for financial support (see financial support section).

    Program

    The proposed program for the 6th is as follows:

    Integrating ecological, metabolic and modelling insights in engineered phototrophic communities for PPB derived processes development and control

     

    Registration 8:30-9:00

    Topic 1: Ecology of PPB: Light capture and carbon flows

    First session 9:00 – 13:00

    Key-note speaker:  Dr. Arvi Freiberg, Institute of Physics, University of Tartu, Head of the Biophysics Laboratory

    Fundamental aspect of light capture

    45 min presentation 15 min discussion

    Invited speaker: Prof. David Weissbrodt, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)

    Trophic link across PPB consortium

    20 min presentation 10 min discussion

    Cost Coffee

    Round table discussion on PB challenges:

    • How to force targeted products? Fundamental knowledge of metabolism to be turned in applied research…
    • Electrons and carbon flows in PPB communities and cells? How to monitor carbon and electron flows? Interspecies e- transfer, direct and indirect.
    • Optimising the illumination strategy? fundamental question on light/exciton transfer in the LHC and RC. How to improve the conversion of radiative energy to chemical energy
    • DNA transfer between PPB/Horizontal gene transfer?
    • Synergistic or antagonistic interaction between PB in a community?

    Potential toxicity of PPB derived from their metabolism

    Lunch 13:00-14:30

    Topic 2: Modelling the metabolism and improving genetic capacities

    Second session 14:30 – 18:30

    Key-note speaker: Prof. Andrew Lang, Department of Biology, Memorial University, Canada

    Genetic exchanges among PPB/other bacteria in the community

    45 min presentation 15 min discussion

    Invited speaker: Prof. Hartmut Grammel, Industrial Microbiology, Biberach University of Applied Sciences, Germany

    Modelling metabolism and metabolic potential

    20 min presentation 10 min discussion

    Coffee break

    Working tables discussion on “Challenges to be taggled by PPB community”

    Networking session + Speed dating for consortium creation for application

    Venue

    The 5th and 6th Workshops in the frame of WGs 1 and 3 of the COST action (CA21146) – PURPLEGAIN will take place in Valladolid, Spain, at two different venues within the University of Valladolid.

    The 1st Conference PHOTOREFINERIES scheduled 9-11th September, and the 5th Workshop, scheduled on 11th September, will be held at the Conde Ansúrez congress Palace.

    Palacio de Congresos Conde Ansúrez
    C/Real de Burgos, s/n
    47011 Valladolid

    Maps Location

    The 6th Workshop, schedule on 13th September, will be held at the School of Industrial Engineering (Dr. Mergelina)

    University of Valladolid
    School of Industrial Engineering (Dr. Mergelina)
    Pso. Prado de la Magdalena 3-5 47011 Valladolid

    Maps Location

    Accommodation and Transportation information

    Room rates

    The University of Valladolid have a deal with some hotels in Valladolid to get affordable rates (see below). These rates are valid if you arrive in Valladolid earlier, before the conference, or stay longer after the conference. Please, refer to your attendance at a workshop organized by the University of Valladolid before making your reservation with these hotels. The hotels accept all major credit cards.

    The room rates include buffet breakfast, service, and VAT. The reservations will be made by hotels on a first-in-first-served basis.

    Please note that:

    • Accommodation is not arranged by the Organizers.

    • All hotel fees are to be paid directly to the hotel on site at your departure.

     

    Accommodation AppellationRoom rates in EUR/room/nightLocation & Booking
    RESIDENCIA UNIVERSITARIA REYES CATÓLICOSSingle roomEUR 45 Location & Booking
    RESIDENCIA APARTAMENTOS CARDENAL MENDOZASingle room with share kitchen, living room and bathroomEUR 25Location & Booking
    HOTEL BOUTIQUE CATEDRAL

    Single room with breakfast

    Double use room with breakfast

    EUR 87.50

    EUR 98.50

    Location & Booking Mail:

    reservascatedral@hotelesvalldolid.com

    HOTEL ZENIT EL COLOQUIO

    Single room with breakfast

    Double use room with breakfast

    EUR 115

    EUR 130

    Location & Booking Mail:
    rreservas@zenithoteles.com
    HOTEL BOUTIQUE ATRIO

    Single room with breakfast

    Double use room with breakfast

    EUR 104

    EUR 125

    Location & Booking Mail:

    reservasatrio@hotelesvalladolid.com

    HOTEL BOUTIQUE GAREUS

    Single room with breakfast

    Double use room with breakfast

    EUR 115

    EUR 130

    Location & Booking Mail:

    gareus@hotelgareus.com

    HOTEL COLÓN PLAZA

    Single room with breakfast

    Double use room with breakfast

    EUR 104.5

    EUR 125

    Location & Booking Mail:

    reservacolonplaza@hotelesvalladolid.com

    HOTEL IMPERIAL

    Single room with breakfast

    Double use room with breakfast

    EUR 86

    EUR 102

    Location & Booking Mail:

    recepcion@himperial.com

    HOTEL ENARA

    Single room with breakfast

    Double use room with breakfast

    EUR 90

    EUR 105

    Location & Booking Mail:

    rec.enara@elehoteles.es

    HOTEL OLIDSingle room with breakfastEUR 90

    Location & Booking Mail:

    dirección@hotelolid.com

     

     

     

    More information

      Get to Spain

      Choose the airport to get to Spain

      Adolfo Suárez-Madrid Barajas Airport – International airport 200 Km South from Valladolid. There are flights from all over the world.

      Available free shuttle bus service connecting the terminals.

      More information about moving around the Barajas airport

      Seve Ballesteros-Santander Airport – Small international airport 250 Km North from Valladolid. There are some flights from Ireland, UK, Belgium, Brussels, Germany, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Italy and Morocco.

      More information about moving around the Santander airport

      Get to Valladolid

      BY TRAIN
      How to get to Valladolid by train if you travel…

      Via Madrid Airport: trains leave from Madrid-Chamartín Train Station. EXPRESS TRAIN available (AVE / ALVIA)
      The fastest and easiest way to move from the airport to the city centre is by taking the train (lines C1 and C10) from Terminal 4.
      Tip! Madrid local train ticket included with your express/fast train ticket. More information about the connection to public transport, here.

      Remember! Free shuttle bus service connecting the terminals
      Via Santander Airport: there is a city bus that connects the airport to Santander train and bus stations.
      Via other cities: Many options are available by train if you travel from the main Spanish cities and towns.
      More information about train timetables here.

      BY BUS/COACH
      Direct coaches from Madrid-Barajas airport (Terminal 4) to Valladolid.
      More information here.
      Many options are available from the main Spanish cities and towns.

      BY CAR
      Valladolid is connected by highway with the main Spanish cities.
      Santander: 250 Km (A-65) Google maps
      Madrid: 200 Km (A-6 y AP-6) Google maps

      Moving around Valladolid

      BY CITY BUS
      Buses run between 7:00 and 23:00, approximately.

      You can get the Conference site directly from the bus/train station taking the bus 2 (destination: Avda. Ramón y Cajal).

      Other buses that stop nearby the Conference place are: 1, 8, 17, 24, C2
      You can download the Valladolid bus map here

      BY TAXI
      If you need to take a taxi once you have arrived in Valladolid, you can find some contact telephone numbers​:

      • Radio-Taxi Valladolid: +34 983 207755 / +34 983 291411
      • Taxi Valladolid Libre: +34 983 10 03 00
      • Taxi Valladolid Mercedes Benz: +34 685 64 65 66

      BUS STATION ADDRESS: Calle del Puente Colgante, 2, 47007 Valladolid

      TRAIN STATION ADDRESS: Calle de Recondo, 47007 Valladolid

        Financial Support – Application procedure for reimbursement

        Documentation for applying

        The documentation needed for applying for reimbursement are as follows:

        1. Applicants must upload a short Curriculum Vitae (in English).
        2. Applicants must upload a motivation letter (in English).
        3. Applicants must upload a scanned copy of their passport (if applicants do not have a passport, they can upload their national ID card)
        4. Copy of the e-mail of acceptance of oral or poster presentation in PHOTOREFINERIES 2024 (if applicable)

        Please, check the General Rules to be reimbursed.

        Selection criteria

        The selection criteria for participants that will be eligible for reimbursement will comply with the COST Excellence and Inclusiveness Policy, in the implementation of the Action. They will encourage attendance by a diverse selection of participants in consideration of:

        1. Underrepresented groups, including those with disabilities. Priority will be given to underrepresented groups, including those with disabilities.
        2. Gender balance.
        3. The level of involvement of Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITCs). Priority will be given to participants from Inclusiveness Target Countries. The current list of ITCs include Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Croatia, Georgia, Greece, Lithuania, Latvia, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Republic of North Macedonia, Republic of Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine.
        4. The level of involvement of Early Career Investigators (ECIs). Priority will be given to PhD students and young post-doctoral researchers, followed by senior post-doctoral researchers and professors.
        5. In addition, workshop organizers may also consider other special attributes such as
          1. Type, or level of expertise in the field of the Workshop based on the curriculum vitae,
          2. Appropriate core knowledge and understanding
          3. Willingness to participate based on the motivation letter
          4. Demonstrated interest based on the motivation letter,
          5. The positive impact that the participants will have on the applicant’s future carrier and
          6. Participation with oral or poster presentation at PHOTOREFINERIES 2024. Priority will be given to participants of oral presentations.

          Financial support through reimbursement does not necessarily cover all expenses but is a contribution to the overall travel, accommodation and meal expenses.

          Financial contribution

          Financial support through reimbursement does not necessarily cover all expenses but is a contribution to the overall travel, accommodation and meal expenses.

          The financial contribution for each successful applicant shall respect the following criteria:

          ParticipationITC

          Non-ITC

          Spanish
          Conference + 2 Workshops (5 days)700500300

          Conference + 1 Workshop (4 days)

          600400200
          Conference only (3 days)500300100
          2 Workshops (2 days)40020050

          1 Workshop (1 day)

          3001000

           

          Note that locals (from Valladolid) cannot claim for reimbursement. This financial contribution must be understood as financial aid aimed to help applicants to cover the expenses of their participation in the Workshop. This financial aid does not aim to cover 100% of the expenses. When claiming costs in e-COST, please consider that claims higher than the values provided above will be asked for modifications, so please make your claim as accurate as possible to avoid unnecessary delays in the payment.

          Please see COST General Annotated Rules to be reimbursed.

          Evaluation process and result announcement

          Evaluation process

          The selection committee, composed of the Action Chair, the Vice Chair, the Grant Awarding coordinator, the Training Schools Coordinator, and the WG1 and WG3 leaders and co-leaders, will evaluate the applications within an 18-day period (after the abstract submission deadline) and will inform all the applicants for their evaluation results. The successful applicants will then receive an e-mail from the grant holder (Grant Letter Notification), stating the official approval of the reimbursement, the granted budget, and a payment request form which has to be completed after the completion of the Workshop.

          Criteria of reimbursement

          If the amount of reimbursement by all applications within the call does not exceed the available budget, the applications are not handled by the selection committee. If there are more applications than funding is available, the following procedure takes place.

          1. A list of all applications (containing an informative summary) is distributed to all members of the selection committee in form of a table in which every evaluator can mark which applications he or she can evaluate according to their field of expertise.
          2. To guarantee a fair and objective evaluation, an evaluator should have no affiliation with either the home or the host institution of the application in question.
          3. All applications are evaluated by two members of the selection committee. The Grant Awarding coordinator distributes the proposals to the individual evaluators.
          4. The criteria given in the table below shall be applied for evaluation in case the budget of the applicants with active participation in the 1st PHOTOREFINERIES conference exceeds the budget allocated. The first criterion (a) is assessed by the Grant Awarding coordinator before the evaluation process. The Grant Awarding Coordinator will also divide the applicants based on Priority in funding. Priority in funding will be based on the criteria established in the Priority list (from 1 to 4). A priority group will be evaluated for funding only if the immediate Priority group is fully funded.
          Criterionmax. points
          a) Before any further criteria are considered
          Application is complete and fulfils all formal requirementspass/no pass
          b) Evaluation of the proposal
          The applicant is the presenter of an oral presentation at the Photobiorefineries Conference (only 1 presenter)Priority 1
          The applicant is the presenter of a poster presentation at the Photobiorefineries Conference (only 1 presenter)Priority 2
          The applicant is a co-author of an accepted presentation (oral or poster) at the Photobiorefineries ConferencePriority 3
          None of the AbovePriority 4
          Evaluation criteria inside a Priority Group
          The application will be ranked last if the applicant was granted in the previous call (Purple Week at Lisbon)pass/no pass
          Applicant from ITC country0 or 10
          Applicant is ECI (or promotes gender balance)0 or 10
          Impact on the career of the applicant10
          Willingness to participate based on the motivation letter10
          Participation in PurpleGain activities related to WG1 or 330
          CV of the applicant10
          Relevance to the objectives of PurpleGain Action20

           

          1. The evaluators report their evaluations to the Grant Awarding coordinator.
          2. The Grant Awarding coordinator ranks all evaluations and then reports the final result to the selection committee to be discussed and accepted.
          3. The applicants are informed about the decision reached.

          More information

          For further information, you may contact the

           PurpleGAIN

          IMPACT TO SCIENCE, SOCIETY AND COMPETITIVENESS