Research infrastructure services advancing frontier knowledge

The main goal of this opportunity is to support breakthrough research by providing access to advanced research infrastructure services across various scientific fields. It aims to improve and harmonize these services, encourage cross-disciplinary collaboration, and train the next generation of researchers. Special emphasis is placed on data management using FAIR principles and ensuring the sustainability of access schemes. Focus areas include environmental sciences (such as atmospheric chemistry) and physical sciences (such as hadron physics). The opportunity is open to organizations in EU Member States, Associated Countries, and select international partners who can offer access to their research facilities.

• Proposals must not exceed 100 pages and should detail the research infrastructures offering access.
• Projects must provide trans-national or virtual access to integrated and customized research infrastructure services in specific scientific domains.
• An outreach and engagement plan is required, along with proof of complementarity with other EU grants.
• At least one ESFRI Landmark or ERIC must be involved as a beneficiary.
• Projects should address data management, interoperability, and alignment with European or international initiatives.
• Proposals must include training for researchers and improvements to access procedures and services.

Example projects:

• A consortium providing virtual access to climate modeling data and training for environmental researchers across Europe.
• An international partnership offering hands-on training and access to advanced particle physics laboratories for early-career scientists.
• A network of research institutions harmonizing procedures for accessing chemical analysis facilities and supporting data interoperability across borders.

• Unit costs for providing trans-national access to research infrastructures
• Unit costs for providing virtual access to research infrastructures
• Expenses for organizing and delivering training courses
• Costs for ad hoc users' training activities
• Scientific support services for users
• Technical support services for users
• Activities aimed at improving research infrastructure services
• Customization of research infrastructure services
• Efforts to harmonize services across infrastructures

Restrictions: Funding covers 80% of eligible costs. All expenses must relate directly to access provision and service improvement activities.

• Budget for this Call: 20,000,000€
• Number of Grants attributed: 2
• Budget per grant: 10,000,000€

• Applicants must be from eligible countries, including EU Member States, Associated Countries, and certain non-EU/non-Associated Countries (such as Australia, Brazil, Canada, and others) that provide access to their infrastructures for EU and Associated Country researchers.
• Proposals must include activities related to access provision for research infrastructures.
• Research infrastructures from third countries should offer complementary or more advanced services than those available in the EU or Associated Countries.
• Each proposal must list the services or installations to be made accessible.
• An outreach and engagement plan is required.
• At least one ESFRI Landmark or ERIC must be a beneficiary in the project.
• Applications must not exceed 100 pages.
• The funding rate is 80% of eligible costs, which may include unit costs for trans-national and virtual access.