“Providing plant-based solutions for societal challenges through a plant expert community”
The Belgian
Plant Science Community (BPSC) creates a stimulating national expert environment in which the full potential of plants is studied, valued, and harnessed to address some of today’s most pressing societal challenges - such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and sustainable food security with substantiated scientific answers and innovative, plant-based solutions.
Plants make up 80% of our planet’s biomass and provide us with food, fiber, and fuel in addition to numerous ecosystem services and climate control. Belgium hosts an exceptional and diverse group of plant experts, spanning disciplines from molecular biology to (natural, agricultural, and urban) ecosystem analysis and management. Founded in spring 2025, BPSC is an independent, bottom-up, non-profit, and interdisciplinary national community that unites plant scientists from academic and non-academic institutions and practical research centers across Belgium.
OUR VISION
BPSC’s overarching vision and ambition is to increase the research capacity, international competitiveness and visibility, and socio-economic and societal impact of Belgian plant science by strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration in fundamental, translational, and applied research (integrating nature-based approaches and new technologies), and facilitating access to advanced facilities, technologies, knowledge and expertise.
BPSC is also committed to educating and training the next generation of plant scientists at all career stages—from master’s students and doctoral researchers to postdoctoral scientists and principal investigators—fostering excellence, interdisciplinarity, and long-term career development.
As a central point of contact, BPSC will also facilitate clear and effective communication between Belgian plant scientists and key stakeholders, including the broader scientific community, funding agencies, policymakers, farmers, industry partners, media, and the general public. BPSC will actively contribute to public debate, and support science-based policymaking by providing multidisciplinary, evidence-based information and expertise.
OUR APPROACH
These ambitions will be realized through (1) the organization of regular and diverse networking and knowledge exchange events, (2) the identification of shared goals and strategic research priorities, aligned with societal challenges and available expertise, and (3) the activity of focused working groups, dedicated to (i) communication and outreach, (ii) collaboration, (iii) education and early-career support, and (iv) science policy and funding to translate these priorities into concrete actions and impact.
BPSC aims for efficiency but is fundamentally committed to inclusivity, openness, and collaboration and encourages participation from all plant researchers and stakeholders across Belgium to unlock the full power of plants and plant science for society.