Deadline: 16-Jun-2026
The European Commission is offering €40 million in funding to support projects that enhance coordination, accessibility, and policy impact of European research infrastructures. Grants of €4–8 million per project will help build interoperable services, improve visibility, and strengthen collaboration across large thematic clusters of research infrastructures, benefiting researchers, innovators, SMEs, and public authorities.
Overview
This initiative aims to streamline and strengthen Europe’s research infrastructure ecosystem by:
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Enhancing policy engagement and visibility of research infrastructures
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Improving coordination, interoperability, and harmonisation across thematic domains
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Developing European portfolios of services with common entry points and interoperable catalogues
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Increasing accessibility and findability for researchers, innovators, industry, SMEs, startups, and new research communities
The programme provides both a policy-oriented and technical framework to support collaboration and collective representation of research infrastructures in Europe.
Objectives
Projects should focus on:
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Representing research infrastructure clusters in European policy discussions
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Strengthening collaboration with cross-domain forums such as ERIC Forum and EIROforum
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Developing service catalogues that are accessible to researchers, SMEs, startups, and non-expert users
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Creating indicators that measure the strategic impact of research infrastructure services
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Promoting alignment with previous initiatives under Horizon 2020, Horizon Europe, and INFRASERV projects
Who Is Eligible?
Eligible participants include any legal entity, regardless of country, including:
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Universities and research institutions
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Public authorities
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Industry partners, including SMEs and startups
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International organisations
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Entities from non-associated third countries
Applicants must comply with Horizon Europe regulations and register in the Participant Register to obtain a Participant Identification Code (PIC).
Funding Details
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Total budget: €40,000,000
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Grant per project: €4,000,000–€8,000,000
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Eligible activities: Coordination, interoperability, service catalogue development, policy engagement, and cluster strengthening
How to Apply / What to Do
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Identify the ESFRI domain your project addresses
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Collaborate with other projects funded under the same topic to ensure alignment
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Design interoperable service catalogues and accessible entry points
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Develop indicators for strategic relevance and policy impact
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Register in the Participant Register and complete validation for a PIC
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Submit a proposal demonstrating technical and policy-oriented frameworks for cluster coordination
Key Benefits
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Strengthens Europe-wide collaboration among research infrastructures
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Enhances visibility and policy influence
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Improves access to infrastructure services for a wide range of users
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Supports SMEs, startups, and early-stage researchers in discovering new services
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Provides a platform for impact assessment and strategic evaluation
Tips for Applicants
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Clearly identify the thematic domain and target users
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Emphasise interoperability, harmonisation, and coordination
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Highlight the project’s policy relevance and contribution to EU priorities
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Show alignment with previous Horizon and INFRASERV projects
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Include clear indicators of strategic impact and service use
FAQs
1. What is the total budget for this call?
€40,000,000.
2. How much can each project receive?
Grants range from €4,000,000 to €8,000,000.
3. Who can participate?
Any legal entity meeting Horizon Europe rules, including organisations from non-associated third countries.
4. What must participants do before applying?
Register in the Participant Register and obtain a Participant Identification Code (PIC).
5. What types of activities are funded?
Coordination, interoperability, service catalogue development, policy engagement, cluster strengthening, and impact assessment.
6. Are projects expected to collaborate with other initiatives?
Yes, projects should align with other initiatives to ensure policy coordination and shared technical developments.
7. What is the expected impact of funded projects?
Strengthened research infrastructure coordination, improved service accessibility, and enhanced policy visibility and strategic evaluation across Europe.
Conclusion
This European Commission funding opportunity is a strategic investment in research infrastructure clusters, enhancing their policy impact, interoperability, and accessibility. With grants of €4–8 million, the initiative strengthens collaboration across Europe, improves access for researchers and innovators, and supports strategic evaluation and decision-making at European and global levels.
For more information, visit EC.