Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Browsers
What are the preferred browsers to visit the Infravec 2 website?
Preferred browsers include the latest version of Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Opera. Safari may have some display issues and possibly others.
General
Are you open during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Yes, the shop remains open for orders, but please understand there will be delays until the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.
What is the mission of the Infravec2 project?
Infravec2 is a Research Infrastructure project of the European Union. The EU has funded the project to provide no-cost access for vector researchers and companies to products and services that will help their work on vector research and development of vector control tools. The central mission of Infravec2 is to distribute these no-cost resources, which are available from the online shop of our website. Infravec2 is not a traditional research project or research network, and the only research carried out by Infravec2 involves directly improving the quality and number of resources available for no-cost distribution to the research community.
Is it possible to join the Infravec2 project?
The Infravec2 consortium is a four-year European Union project to distribute rare and unique resources from large vector infrastructures to the vector research community. The consortium of partners is already fixed for the funding term. These large infrastructure partners of the consortium agreed to produce and distribute resources using their existing facility and personnel. No new equipment, facility improvement, or personnel are funded by Infravec2. The providing partners are reimbursed for the actual cost of the resources they distribute, and no profit is made by providers. The central goal of the project is to offer opportunities for you, the vector research community, to request scientific resources at no cost, to assist your research. Our website has an online shop where you can request vector research resources (Products).
Does the Infravec2 project support research projects?
Yes, the Infravec2 project supports research project by giving access to vector biology products, services and access to facilities. Infravec2 is a source of research funding provided by the European Union for insect vector research. The support is provided as no-cost research resources, and the project does not provide direct financial grants.
Does the Infravec2 project fund the creation of new research infrastructures?
Infravec2 can help you gain access to the unique tools you need to do your research, including bringing new capacities to your own laboratory and personnel, but the project does not fund construction of new research infrastructures.
Does Infravec2 provide training opportunities?
Infravec2 will offer courses on Secure Insectary Experimental Methods, and Vector Genomics and Bioinformatics (see Training). The courses will particularly focus on junior scientists and research capacity strengthening. There will also be workshops and other networking opportunities to involve the community. Please watch the website for up to date information. In addition, Facility Access products in the online shop provide researchers with the opportunity to work in a sophisticated facility for studies on vector infection, behaviour and insecticides. A reasonable level of training will be provided if necessary prior to conducting research in these unique facilities.
Free of charge access to products
How can I obtain Infravec2 products for my research at no cost?
Go to the Products section of the Infravec2 website, and search for the resources you need. Or just browse and you may find resources that will help you. Then, you select the products, add them to your shopping cart, and provide a brief scientific justification. You need to be registered first, which is also a simple process. At the top of the Products page you will find Order Instructions and Pre-order checklist, for detailed instructions.
Am I eligible to obtain no-cost products?
Yes, vector researchers worldwide are eligible to request our products from the online shop. By European Union rules, 80% of the total project budget is reserved for requests from EU-based researchers. This is not expected to be a limitation for non-EU researchers until later in the project period when the 20% non-EU budget limit is approached.
Are there training courses available in Infravec2?
There will be in-person training courses on Secure Insectary Experimental Methods, and Vector Genomics and Bioinformatics. The first sessions are planned for 2018, and information, including application material, will be publicized on the Infravec2 website in advance. See the Training page.
Will new products be added to the Infravec2 online shop?
Yes, new products such as vectors infected with emerging pathogens (Usutu virus), or colonies of vectors, have already been added since the opening of the online shop. Please watch the website for new products as they are added.