"The REFRESH Project is designed to unlock the potential of the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Science (IAR&FR), located in Warmia and Mazury province in Eastern Poland, the most underdeveloped part of the country. IAR&FR is the highest quality research entity in this region and the best Institute in the domain of agricultural research in Poland; it is an EC Centre of Excellence – “CENEXFOOD” and National Centre of Excellence “BIOANIREP”. Recruitment of 2 Managers and 6 experienced researchers will reverse ‘brain drain’ phenomenon and purchase of 5 pieces of major equipment will build very attractive research environment at the Institute. Over 200 months of two-way staff exchange with 14 leading European institutes and staff training on specialised courses will strengthen Institute’s expertise in three priority research areas: Food, Biodiversity and in particular - Health. Tailored dissemination of Project results and acquired knowledge will generate improvement of the Institute’s national and international visibility and recognition as reliable partner for cooperation within ERA. Through these measures special attention is paid to the needs of regional end-users: administration at national and local level, research authorities and agri-business (farm producers, industrial partners) and the general public. Once accomplished, the Project will become the basis for Institute’s increased contribution to the sustainable socio-economic development of Warmia and Mazury. Exploiting the Project’s foreground will appear by initiation of specific actions in the areas of food, health and biodiversity preservation. Taking into account the agricultural character of the region and the highest quality of research conducted at IAR&FR, support for innovations implementation to regional SME’s will be particularly appreciated since the ambition of the Institute is to maintain its position as an innovation engine in the region."