Individual support to ESFRI and other world-class research infrastructures
This topic targets the long-term sustainability of new research infrastructures, ESFRI and other world-class research infrastructures of European Interest, with established governance and legal structure, notably on the basis of the European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC) or any other suitable structure with international membership. Infrastructures having submitted a first step application to the Commission for establishing an ERIC may also apply to this topic. Support will be provided to activities aimed at ensuring long-term sustainability, including enlargement of the membership, European coverage, international cooperation[[ In line with the strategy for EU international cooperation in research and innovation (COM(2012)497)]], limited pilots of access provision for testing and improving user services to increase reliability and create trust, definition of service level agreements and business/funding plan, outreach, and technology transfer activities. Proposals should explain any synergies
The implementation phase of new pan-European research infrastructures, such as those identified in the ESFRI roadmap, is the most delicate and difficult as financial sustainability must be proved and the trust and awareness of users must be earned.
This activity will:
- contribute to providing Europe with a comprehensive landscape of sustainable Research Infrastructures helping to respond to challenges in science, industry and society;
- strengthen the ERA position and role in the global research environment;
- reinforce the partnership between the Commission, Member States, Associated Countries and relevant stakeholders in establishing pan-European research infrastructures;
- enhance the role of the Union in international organisations and multilateral fora;
- support progress towards the development of global research infrastructures;
- enable researchers to address societal challenges with a global dimension;
- foster capacity-building and Research Infrastructure human capital development in targeted/relevant regions.