GNP HuB

The German Nagoya Protocol HuB, or GNP HuB for short, stands for “Hilfe und Beratung” (“help and guidance” in English). This project aims to help academic researchers in Germany understand their obligations arising from the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol.

The project offers information sessions about access and benefit-sharing (ABS) and the legal implications of the EU ABS Regulation for academic research. Also develops easy to understand information materials about ABS, including infographics, videos and podcasts, that are available for the scientific community on the HuB website. The project created and manages the HuB network, composed of researchers working with genetic resources in Germany. This network regularly meets to informally discuss ABS-relevant challenges and share possible solutions. The GNP-HuB also manages a help desk to support scientists with specific inquiries.

The GNP- HuB first phase was implemented from October 2019 to December 2022 by the Leibniz Institute-German Collection for Microorganisms and Cell Cultures (DSMZ) in partnership with the Consortium of German Natural Science Collections (DNFS), the German Life Sciences Association (VBIO) and the Leibniz Research Network Biodiversity (LFN BioDiv). The project was initially funded through the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (Bundesamt für Naturschutz, BfN) with funds from the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety (BMUV) from October 2019 to September 2022, under grant agreement No 351981050A. To continue and expand the work made by the GNP-HuB, a new phase of the project, the ABS Science HuB, is being implemented.

Project objectives:

1. Create low-threshold information and consultation services for Nagoya Protocol compliance

for third-party researchers.

2. Identification of proven processes and typical problems, as well as solutions in dealing

with ABS when accessing and using GR.

3. Develop and compile basic information tailored for the target group (including training offers)

for practicable and structured procedures with ABS/ concrete Nagoya issues.