How will my institution benefit?

Networking

ICA organises and promotes projects, initiatives, and conferences that enhance networking within the life sciences sector, enabling the sharing of expertise and knowledge. Attendance at ICA conferences and workshops supports the establishment of communities of practice, where members build confidence in each other’s capabilities, leading to the development of new initiatives.

Professional updating

ICA’s conferences and workshops for faculty, researchers, and university leaders provide a forum for discussing innovative practices and emerging challenges, while also serving as a platform for information exchange and updates on strategic issues. These events are regularly organised in collaboration with the Standing Committees and associated international networks (APLU, CEDIA, and GCHERA), with a focus on education and research.

European dimension

EU policies and opportunities, and represents the priorities of life science universities within the European Higher Education and Research Areas.

Representation

• ICA represents/defends the general interest of its members in EU organisations and European Networks.
• ICA can support new initiatives.
• ICA represents its members in a number of asociated networks:  European networks (CEDIA), international organisations (APLU, CFAVM, and GCHERA), and international student associations (IAAS and IFSA).

Will your institution become a member of ICA?

Membership of ICA is open to individual higher education institutions with a focus on the life sciences related to the circular bioeconomy, including agriculture, forestry, the food value chain, and the biobased economy, as well as the sustainable use of natural resources, biodiversity, environmental protection, and rural development.

• Full membership is open to higher education institutions located in countries that are signatories to the Bologna Process. Member institutions will normally award, at a minimum, MSc degrees through both taught programmes and research-based study.
• Associate membership is open to higher education institutions from countries outside the Bologna Process area. Educational organisations related to ICA’s disciplinary fields, but which are not higher education institutions, may also apply for Associate Membership.

The ICA Full Membership Subscription is based on the number of Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral students within the institution as a whole, or within relevant faculties, in fields related to the bioeconomy, including agriculture, forestry, the blue economy, the food value chain, and the biobased economy, as well as the sustainable use of natural resources, environmental protection, and rural development.

For institutions who have an Associate Membership of ICA, and for institutions coming from countries with a GDP/capita of ≤ $9,000 the Membership Subscription will be 50 percent of the applicable Full Membership Subscription.

We look forward to welcoming your institution to the ICA-network of higher education institutions and working with you in the future.  If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact ICA secretariat: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Download your Full Membership Application Form or Associate Membership Application Form  

There is an application fee of €650, which will be invoiced upon receipt of your application form by ICA. Once the application fee has been received, you will be granted all membership rights applicable to ICA members. Your membership application will then be presented for approval at the next ICA General Assembly.

Dowlooad the ICA Magazine 2023