A candidate institution should have previously collaborated with FAO for a minimum of two years (or less under special circumstances to be justified by the relevant technical unit) in carrying out jointly planned activities and demonstrated the following:

• attainment of scientific, technical and policy standing and active engagement in fields of expertise relevant to the FAO’s mandate;
• contributions to the implementation of FAO’s programmatic priorities and a commitment to strengthening capacity development in areas relevant to FAO’s mandate (e.g. collaboration with FAO on specific programmes or projects);
• the ability to carry out one or several of the following functions:
  • standardization of technology, therapeutic and other substances, and methods/procedures;
  • provision of reference substances and services such as quality assurance;
  • development and validation of livestock diagnostic tools and vaccines;
  • participation in collaborative research of a scientific, technical or policy nature;
  • contribution to capacity development inter alia through the provision of training;
  • coordination of activities carried out by other institutions;
  • provision of information and advice of a scientific, technical and policy nature.
• a willingness to use its own resources to implement joint collaborative activities, with the understanding that FAO is not a funding organization and is limited in the financial support it can provide.

Procedures for designation

Application and supporting material for consideration as an FAO Reference Centre should be as complete and comprehensible as possible as described in the Guidelines for applicants for designation as FAO Reference Centres for Specific Thematic or for Specific disease focus. Then the application should be submitted along with a signed “Declaration of Interest” to this email address: [email protected].