Consolidation of the research infrastructure landscape – individual support for evolution, long-term sustainability and emerging needs of pan-European research infrastructures

Overview

Supports the evolution, long-term sustainability, and adaptation of pan-European research infrastructures (ESFRI Landmarks and ERICs) to address emerging scientific, societal, and policy challenges. Targets research infrastructure operators seeking to enhance service capacity, membership, data management, or environmental efficiency.

Who Can Apply

Eligible applicants include:

• ESFRI Landmarks (including their host legal entities in lead countries if not an ERIC or international European research organisation)
• European Research Infrastructure Consortia (ERICs), including distributed ERICs where the ERIC itself must be the beneficiary

Funding Details

• Maximum grant amount: 40,000,000 EUR
• Funding rate: 80% of eligible costs (lump sum)
• Co-funding: Beneficiaries must provide the remaining 20% share

What Is Funded

Activities critical to the sustainability and optimised use of ESFRI Landmarks or ERICs, including:

• Expansion of membership, particularly in widening and candidate countries
• Addressing gaps identified in assessments or monitoring (e.g., ESFRI reviews)
• Reinforcing international cooperation
• Revising business or funding plans
• Developing managerial and technical skills for staff
• Strengthening national or thematic nodes
• Extending remote or virtual access
• Implementing FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data management
• Reorienting or evolving the research infrastructure’s scope to fill gaps, address new challenges, or serve new user communities
• Greening technologies and methodologies, fostering innovation, and integrating into local/regional/global innovation ecosystems

Technology / Maturity Requirements

• Technology Readiness Level (TRL): 4–6

Key Dates

• Open date: 2026-03-09
• Deadline: 2026-06-15

Application Process (High-Level)

• Process: Single-stage submission via the Funding & Tenders Portal
• Application form: Specific to this call, available in the Submission System

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

• Proposals must explicitly identify the ESFRI Landmark or ERIC as a beneficiary and the research infrastructure it operates.
• Synergies with other Horizon Europe grants (e.g., INFRADEV, INFRATECH) must be explained.
• Proposals should align with EU initiatives, strategies, and priorities, including Horizon Europe partnerships.
• Specific attention must be given to environmental sustainability, industry/SME engagement, and innovation potential.