SYNTHESYS

The Worlds Largest Network of Natural History Institutions

A consortium of Europe's most prestigious natural history institutions, including museums and botanical gardens, has joined together to form SYNTHESYS the worlds first and largest natural history network.

The project, initiated by The Consortium of European Taxonomic Facilities (CETAF), will bring together an immense resource for scientific research, consisting of collections, institute facilities and expertise, together with integrated information about the natural world.

20 institutions in 11 European countries will create a unique resource of zoological, botanical, geological and palaeontological specimens. In total the collections comprise more than 337 million specimens. The Natural History Museum, London, U.K., will coordinate the project. The consortium has been awarded  €13 million from the Infrastructure Programme of the Sixth Framework Programme the EU's main source of science research funding.

For the first time, Europe's globally important natural history collections and resources will be available to scientists across Europe. It will provide an opportunity for exchanging information and stimulating research in areas including biodiversity and the environment. SYNTHESYS will provide easy access to the content of these vast collections, and will conduct a survey of each institution's collections, staff, knowledge and expertise.

For further information on the project and how to apply for a funded visit to one of the 20 participating institutions visit:

http://www.SYNTHESYS.info/