Early phase implementation of ESFRI Projects that entered the ESFRI Roadmap in 2021

Project results are expected to contribute to several of the following expected outcomes:

• Faster and larger implementation of the ESFRI Projects that entered the ESFRI Roadmap in 2021;
• enhanced ERA excellence and attractiveness through the availability of additional capacities from the targeted ESFRI Projects;
• solid Member States/Associated Country engagement in pan-European research infrastructures, leading to their full implementation;
• long-term perspective for investments in research infrastructures;
• synergies and complementarities between new and existing research infrastructures.

This topic targets the research infrastructure projects that entered the ESFRI Roadmap in 2021^[1], due to their scientific excellence and organisational maturity as well as to their strategic importance for the European Research Area and the structuring of the European research infrastructure ecosystem. Proposals must explicitly state which ESFRI Project they target.

Although these ESFRI Projects have received EU funding for their preparatory phase and initial commitment from Member States/Associated Countries, the early stages of the research infrastructure life cycle are particularly challenging. Past monitoring exercises on ESFRI infrastructures highlighted recurrent bottlenecks hampering their full implementation and start of operation phase. Building on such experiences, proposals are expected to identify and address the most critical issues that could prevent or delay the entering of these ESFRI Projects into the implementation phase.

Support can be provided for activities, such as enlargement of the membership; establishment of the governance structure and legal entity; securing the funding; finalisation of the distributed architecture; development of ICT and data management solutions (including data management according to the FAIR principles and possible open access to data); development of access policies and users’ strategies; consolidation of the international dimension; consolidation of the service offer; assessing possible expansion to new user communities/new needs; or addressing staff and procurement related issues. Proposals should focus on the activities addressing the identified bottlenecks.

Proposals should involve all stakeholders necessary to move the project forward and ensure financial commitments (including national/regional ministries/governments, research councils or funding agencies).

Proposals should explain any synergies and complementarities with previous or current EU grants.

[1] ESFRI Projects eligible for support under this topic are: EBRAINS, SLICES, SoBigData++, MARINERG‑I, EIRENE RI, ET, EuPRAXIA, GGP, GUIDE, OPERAS, RESILIENCE.