ERGA News #39 - June 2026
- 12 minutes ago
- 4 min read
News
A new ERGA Framework for community-engaged biodiversity genomics
A new ERGA-associated article in Biological Conservation presents a five-step framework for engaging European Local Communities in biodiversity genomics research. The article argues that genomic data can better support conservation, management, and policy when research is developed with attention to the people who live in, work with, and care for the species and places being studied. Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) can help shape sampling, interpretation, communication, and the practical use of results, while early dialogue is especially important for projects involving biological materials, genomic data, locality information, repository deposition, and future reuse. The framework guides researchers through early relationship building, respect for local context, co-created roles, transparent benefit sharing, and long-term knowledge transfer. For ERGA, the article contributes to ongoing efforts to make biodiversity genomics more open, locally informed, and useful for conservation decision-making. More information is available here.
SMBE 2026 - Wrap up
Thank you to everyone who passed by the ERGA booth at SMBE 2026 to meet us, ask questions, and discuss the future of biodiversity genomics. It was motivating to hear about the directions in which genomics-based research is moving, and to connect with so many members of the community in person. We would also like to thank all participants in the Pangenomes symposium for contributing to such a thoughtful and timely discussion. A special thank you goes to our two fantastic ERGA ambassadors, Roisin Long and Sonia Cebrian Camison. The new ERGA Voices series will begin with their interview, so stay tuned for this new project!!!
Call for ERGA proposal leads: Biodiversa+ 2026–2027
The ERGA Executive Board invites short Expressions of Interest from ERGA members who would like to lead a proposal for the upcoming Biodiversa+ 2026–2027 Joint Call, Novel ecosystems: biodiversity, socio-ecological consequences and future trajectories. EOIs should briefly describe the research idea, main objectives, partners or expertise sought, and relevant data, resources, or infrastructures. Possible themes include population connectivity, urban ecosystems, and caves or other systems under novel environmental pressures, although ideas across the full scope of the call are welcome. Selected proposal leads will receive support from the ERGA Executive Board in building consortia and aligning proposals with ERGA priorities. EOIs should be submitted between 17 August and 4 September 2026 to funding@erga-biodiversity.org. More information about the call is available here.
Comparative Genomics of Unicellular Eukaryotes: Exceptions to the rules
ERGA is pleased to help share CGUE26, the 2026 edition of Comparative Genomics of Unicellular Eukaryotes: Exceptions to the rules, taking place in Sant Feliu de Guíxols, Spain, from 5–10 October 2026. The meeting will bring together researchers working across comparative genomics, molecular evolution, cell biology, and the diversity of unicellular eukaryotes. With invited and contributed talks, poster sessions, early-career researcher activities, and opportunities for discussion, CGUE26 offers a valuable space to explore how protist genomes are reshaping our understanding of eukaryotic biology. Registration is open on a rolling basis, with limited capacity and a current deadline of 15 July 2026. More information and registration details are available on the official CGUE26 website.
🌍 BGE+ Cascade Funding
BGE+ Cascade Funding will provide a route for community-led activities that contribute to the objectives of the project and support the wider development of biodiversity genomics across Europe. Beginning at the September Plenary, we will make a series of presentations to explain the scope of the funding, the expected application process, and the types of applicants and partnerships that may be eligible. These updates will continue in the period leading to the opening of the official call, which is currently planned for February 2027. In the meantime, members who are interested in developing potential proposals or identifying partners within and outside their countries are encouraged to contact their national representatives and/or the ERGA Secretariat (secretariat@erga-biodiversity.org).
🪢 ERGA CONSENSA - COST Action
Community members will soon be able to express their interest in participating in the ERGA COST Action through the official COST website. Once the Action page is available, participants should read the Memorandum of Understanding, identify the Working Group or Working Groups most closely aligned with their expertise, and apply through the Action page using an e-COST profile. This is the standard route described by COST for joining a COST Action as a Working Group member. Members who are interested in a Management Committee role should follow the separate national nomination process through the COST National Coordinator in their country. Further information will be shared with the ERGA community as soon as the Action page and application link are available. Useful COST links are available here: how to participate in an ongoing COST Action, browse COST Actions, create or access an e-COST profile, and find your COST National Coordinator.
The ERGA Pangenomes Working Group!
We would like to thank the people who have already expressed their interest in participating. This strong response shows the value of creating a shared space to discuss pangenomes within ERGA, from first steps to more advanced applications. Everyone in the ERGA community is welcome to subscribe and take part, including members who are beginning to explore pangenomes and those already working with pangenome methods, tools, or data. The Working Group has also started defining its first actions, with the aim of completing this initial phase by the next meeting in September. Members who have not yet expressed an interest can still do so using the link below. The form will remain open for the coming months, so people can join as the group develops. Further information is available in the meeting agenda here.
Events
31 August - 3 September | Geneva, Switzerland
2nd Molluscan Genomics Workshop
30 August - 3 September | Frankfurt, Germany
21-25 September | Oslo, Norway / Hybrid
9-13 November | Barcelona, Spain
Featured conferences with sessions organized by ERGA members:
Are you attending events or organizing sessions/workshops not listed here? Let us know here, we can help you reach more attendees from the biodiversity genomics community!
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