Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias

Their core work

INIA is Chile's national agricultural research institute, focused on improving crop production, plant breeding, and sustainable farming practices for South American conditions. In H2020, they contributed expertise in stone fruit genomics (particularly disease resistance breeding) and bio-based fertilizer development from fishery waste. Their participation bridges Latin American agricultural knowledge with European research consortia, offering access to Southern Hemisphere crop varieties, growing conditions, and field trial environments.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

INIA's H2020 involvement started in 2016 with broader ICT-related agricultural research (RUC-APS), then shifted toward precision plant breeding and genomics (TESS, 2018). Their most recent and only directly funded project (SEA2LAND, 2021) marks a clear pivot toward circular economy and sustainable fertilizer production. The trajectory shows a move from general agricultural research support toward applied biotechnology and sustainable inputs.

INIA is shifting from fundamental plant science toward applied circular bioeconomy, making them increasingly relevant for sustainable agriculture and waste valorization projects.

How they like to work

INIA has never coordinated an H2020 project — they join as a third party or participant, contributing specialized knowledge rather than leading consortia. With 49 unique partners across 15 countries from just 3 projects, they operate within large, diverse consortia. As a non-European partner from Chile, their role is typically to provide Southern Hemisphere field validation, local crop expertise, and access to Latin American agricultural contexts.

Despite only 3 projects, INIA has built connections with 49 partners across 15 countries, reflecting their participation in large international consortia. Their network spans well beyond Europe, positioning them as a bridge to Latin American agricultural research.

What sets them apart

INIA is one of very few Chilean agricultural research organizations active in H2020, offering European consortia direct access to Southern Hemisphere growing conditions, crop varieties, and field trial sites. For projects needing to validate agricultural technologies across different climates and hemispheres, INIA provides a ready-made research infrastructure in Chile. Their combination of plant genomics expertise and circular bioeconomy work is uncommon for a non-European third-country partner.

Highlights from their portfolio

• SEA2LAND
  Their only directly funded project (EUR 166,875), representing a strategic commitment to circular bioeconomy and bio-based fertilizer development from fishery waste.
• TESS
  Genome editing for stone fruit virus resistance — technically sophisticated work that positions INIA in advanced plant breeding, relevant to global fruit industry challenges.