Access to research infrastructures, their resources and services: large-scale pilots for more integrated scheme across (sub)domains

Overview

This grant funds large-scale pilot projects to improve access to research infrastructures, their resources, and services for researchers and innovators across Europe. It targets consortia of research infrastructures aiming to create integrated, single-entry access portals and harmonized access conditions across scientific domains.

Who Can Apply

Eligible applicants include consortia of research infrastructures, such as ESFRI Landmarks, European Research Infrastructure Consortia (ERICs), and other state-of-the-art facilities. At least two ESFRI Landmarks or ERICs must be included as beneficiaries. Research infrastructures from third countries (e.g., Australia, Canada, Japan, USA) may participate if they provide complementary or advanced services not available in the EU or Associated Countries.

Funding Details

• Maximum grant amount: €40,000,000
• Funding rate: Not specified (unit costs may apply for access provision)
• Financial support to third parties (FSTP): Up to €300,000 per third party for access provision
• Budget allocation: Must include resources for access, training, and outreach, particularly for researchers from widening and candidate countries.

What Is Funded

• Transnational and/or virtual access to integrated research infrastructure services, including data services.
• Training and support for users, with a focus on early-stage researchers and those from widening countries.
• Development and improvement of services, provided they are offered during the project and sustainably maintained.
• Outreach and engagement to promote access to research communities, industries (including SMEs), and researchers from widening countries.
• Interoperability and data management, including alignment with the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) and FAIR data principles.
• Single-entry point portals for access, with interoperability and convergence into a common portal.

Technology / Maturity Requirements

• Technology Readiness Level (TRL): 7–9 (system prototype demonstration in operational environment to actual system proven in operational environment).

Key Dates

• Open date: 2027-03-08
• Deadline: 2027-06-14

Application Process (High-Level)

• Single-stage submission via the Funding & Tenders Portal.
• Proposal page limit: 100 pages.
• Evaluation criteria: Excellence, impact, and implementation, with specific focus on access quality, integration, and service improvement.

Post-Award Obligations

• Access provision: Must comply with the European Charter for Access to Research Infrastructures.
• Reporting: Documentation of access provided, user information, and financial support to third parties.
• Intellectual property: Beneficiaries must grant royalty-free access to outputs (e.g., tools, standards) to EU institutions and other EU-funded projects.
• Collaboration: Mandatory engagement with related EU initiatives (e.g., HORIZON-INFRA-2025-01-DEV-05, HORIZON-INFRA-2026-01-DEV-02) to ensure coherence and convergence of access schemes.

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.
• Application language: English.

Notes

• Exclusions: Proposals must not include exploitation and dissemination plans as primary objectives.
• Third-country participation: Limited to research infrastructures from specific countries (e.g., Australia, Canada, Japan, USA) that provide access to EU researchers.
• Synergies: Proposals must demonstrate complementarity with other EU-funded access initiatives.
• Gender dimension: While not mandatory, proposals are encouraged to promote gender integration in user project calls.