Access to research infrastructure services to enable R&I addressing EU priorities and emerging challenges

Overview

This grant provides transnational and virtual access to advanced research infrastructure services for researchers and innovators addressing EU priorities and emerging challenges. It targets consortia offering integrated, interdisciplinary services in six key areas, including cancer research, agrifood systems, polar ecosystems, material circularity, semiconductors, and geohazards.

Who Can Apply

Eligible applicants include consortia of research infrastructures, such as ESFRI Landmarks, European Research Infrastructure Consortia (ERICs), or legal entities hosting ERIC facilities. Participation is open to entities from EU Member States, Associated Countries, and select third countries (Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, India, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Singapore, USA) if they provide complementary or advanced services.

Funding Details

• Total budget: €40,000,000
• Funding type: Grant
• Eligible costs: Unit costs for transnational and virtual access to research infrastructures
• Co-funding: Not specified

What Is Funded

The grant supports access to research infrastructure services in one of six thematic areas: 1. Cancer research: Integrated biomedical infrastructures for advanced imaging, genomics, proteomics, and clinical trials management. 2. Agrifood systems: Sustainable and resilient agrifood systems with a One Health approach, including genetic resources and AI-driven data analysis. 3. Polar ecosystems: Services for climate change, biodiversity, and human activity interactions in polar regions. 4. Material circularity: Research infrastructures for improved environmental performance of materials, aligned with the Ecodesign Regulation and Critical Raw Materials Act. 5. Semiconductors: Next-generation and future semiconductor technologies, supporting the European Chips Act. 6. Geohazards: Geosphere research infrastructures for understanding natural hazards and human-induced changes.

Proposals must include at least one ESFRI Landmark or ERIC as a beneficiary and provide a list of services/installations opened for access.

Technology / Maturity Requirements

• TRL range: 7–9 (system prototype demonstration in operational environment to actual system proven in operational environment)

Key Dates

• Open date: 2027-03-08
• Deadline: 2027-06-14T22:00:00Z

Application Process (High-Level)

• Process: Single-stage submission via the Funding & Tenders Portal.
• Page limit: 100 pages for the proposal.

Post-Award Obligations

• Access rights: Beneficiaries must grant royalty-free access to intellectual property related to tools, standards, and outputs generated by the action to EU institutions and other EU-funded project beneficiaries.
• Reporting: Not explicitly detailed, but compliance with Horizon Europe reporting standards is expected.
• Outreach: Proposals must include an engagement plan to advertise services to widening countries, candidate countries, and industries, including SMEs.

Geographic Scope & Language

• Eligible countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, United Kingdom, Switzerland, and select third countries (Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, India, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Singapore, USA).
• Application language: English.

Notes

• Proposals must align with the European Charter for Access to Research Infrastructures.
• Synergies with other EU initiatives (e.g., Horizon Europe Missions, Partnerships) and past projects are encouraged.
• Proposals should reserve resources for training early-stage researchers and staff from widening and candidate countries.
• The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may collaborate with successful proposals in relevant areas.