Consolidation of the research infrastructure landscape – development of complementarities, synergies and/or integration between a set of pan-European research infrastructures

Worum geht es in dieser Ausschreibung?

The topic funds projects that integrate two or more pan-European research infrastructures, either through shared services and closer operation or by planning a merger, to make the landscape more efficient.

Was fördert diese Ausschreibung?

Scope

The topic supports consolidation of the EU research infrastructure landscape by developing complementarities, synergies and/or integration between two or more ESFRI Landmarks and/or European Research Infrastructure Consortia (ERICs) or, if duly justified, between one ESFRI Landmark or ERIC and other research infrastructures of European interest. Proposals should set out the rationale and expected benefits of the consolidation.

Two possible routes

• Operational integration: develop complementarities and synergies at thematic or cross-disciplinary level, for example through service-level agreements for shared horizontal services and tools, joint scientific services and cooperation mechanisms that ensure long-term integration. Joint staff skills development, including exchange programmes, can be supported.
• Planning a merger: assess feasibility and plan a merger, effectively involving the funders of the infrastructures concerned, developing the concept of the merged infrastructure (governance, legal form, operation) and defining the operational steps and financial forecast. Pilots for integrating services and joint staff development may also be supported.

Proposals should explain synergies with previous or current EU grants under the research infrastructures part of Horizon Europe.

Expected outcomes

• A better structured, integrated and stronger European research infrastructure landscape.
• Solid concepts or plans for integrated infrastructures, supporting national and European decisions and improving sustainability and efficiency.
• More capacity to address EU policy priorities, support EU industry and strengthen the European Research Area.

Wann endet die Einreichungsfrist?

15. Juni 2027 (221 Tage)

15 June 2027 (single-stage submission).