Research Infrastructures

The Research Infrastructures

in FP7

Research Infrastructures

Optimising the use and development of the best research infrastructures in Europe;

Helping to create in all fields of Science and Technology new research infrastructures of pan-European interest needed by the scientific community

to help industry to strengthen its base of knowledge and its technological know how.

ObjectivesObjectives

Research Infrastructures

“Facilities”, “resources” or “services” that are used by the scientific community for the

development of leading-edge research at EU level

knowledge transmission, knowledge exchanges and knowledge preservation;

This definition covers major equipments, scientific archives and structured information, enabling ICT-based infrastructures, and any other entity of a unique nature used for research.

Definition of Definition of Research InfrastructuresResearch Infrastructures

Research Infrastructures

ActivitiesActivities

Support for:

Existing research infrastructures, for optimizing the access to and the utilisation and performance of such infrastructures

New research infrastructures, (incl. major upgrades) through the implementation of a «strategic» approach

Research Infrastructures

a) Support to existing research infrastructures

both on a generic (bottom-up) basis and in close cooperation with the thematic areas:

– transnational access– integrating activities – research e-infrastructure

Call for proposals; selection through a peer review system.

Research Infrastructures

b) Support to new research infrastructures

construction of new infrastructures and major updates of existing ones,

based on the work conducted by ESFRI notably, and whenever appropriate on the basis of Article 171 of the Treaty

design (and foresight) studies,

through a bottom-up approach, and by funding exploratory awards and feasibility studies for new infrastructures

Research Infrastructures

Needs for new research infrastructures in the medium–long term should be clearly defined as well as a corresponding roadmap.

The European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI)will play a major role in this context.

http://www.cordis.lu/esfri/

Need for a clear vision…

Research Infrastructures

Next steps

• April 2005: ESFRI „List of opportunities“

• Fall 2005: ESFRI „Roadmap“

• 2006 Commission „List of priority projects“

Research Infrastructures

A two-stage process :

The engineering phase- through restricted calls

targeted to a list of priority projects- for construction plans, legal organisation,

management structure, …

Implementation phase - following successful first phase

- engineering various financial instruments

The operational mechanism to support construction in FP7

Research Infrastructures

Added value of EU financial support Capacity to offer a service to users from the

scientific community at European level; Relevance at international level; Technological feasibility; Possibilities for European partnership and

commitment of major stakeholders; Construction and operating costs evaluated.

Clear Criteria for Clear Criteria for new Research Infrastructuresnew Research Infrastructures

Research Infrastructures

On the basis of calls for proposals:Collaborative projects, coordination and support actions, combined as I3 as appropriate

To support actions implemented through Council and European Parliament decisions

on the basis of article 171 of the Treaty or through the specific programme decisions, to mobilise funding from different origin: national funding, FP, SF, loans from EIB, and others

Funding Schemes…Funding Schemes…

http://www.cordis.lu/infrastructures/