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Research Coordination

In line with its core competences BfR carries out its own research and cooperates with other institutions, in particular ones that come under the portfolio of BMELV (Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection), the university sector and the Member States of the  European Union. It also awards contracts to third parties.

Research Coordination prepares basic documents on research within BfR, draws up the BfR research programme and lays down the procedural rules for research within BfR.

The overarching goals of BfR research are:

• Advising political decision-makers on the basis of competent, internationally recognised expertise of a high scientific standard
• Ensuring the quality of assessments in conjunction with marketing authorisation tasks
• Building competence in the network of scientific public agencies in the field of consumer health protection
• Maintaining a high level of scientific expertise for an exchange of ideas, concepts and when carrying out joint research projects on a national and international level
• Analysis of risk perception of stakeholders, the population at large and the media as the foundation for the development and use of suitable risk communication tools

Research Coordination organises cooperation with the competent federal ministries and other institutions involved in the field of research in interaction with the coordinators of working groups and project managers. It supports BfR scientists regarding general and fundamental questions of research support and advises them on their applications for projects with third-party funding. This staff unit is responsible for managing and controlling all BfR projects with third-party funding.

In accordance with its assigned task, BfR focuses on the following research areas:

• Research as part of its work as reference laboratory aimed at the development of new detection methods
• Research on risk assessment, for instance on the development of improved methods for exposure assessment and on properties, mechanisms of action and functionality in regard to biological safety and the safety of food, chemicals and consumer products
• Research on the scientific foundations of risk communication and risk perception
• Research on the documentation, evaluation, development and validation of alternatives to animal experiments

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