European Commission Launches Initiative to Transform Research Infrastructures

The European Commission (EC) is providing €10 million to support the development of new research infrastructure concepts and major transformative upgrades or extensions of existing infrastructures. The initiative targets projects that enhance scientific capacity, provide novel services to the research community, and reduce environmental impacts, with funding of €2–3 million per project. Eligible legal entities worldwide can participate under Horizon Europe regulations.

Program Overview

This EC initiative supports:

• Planning and conceptualization of new research infrastructures at national and European levels

• Major upgrades or transformative extensions of existing infrastructures

• Creation of single-site, multi-site, distributed, or virtual infrastructures of European interest

The program focuses on enabling infrastructure that advances scientific excellence, frontier research, and innovation, while providing new services to the research community and optimizing resource and energy efficiency.

Key Objectives

1. Strategic Planning and Science Cases

   • Conduct feasibility and design studies for new infrastructures or upgrades

   • Align infrastructure with scientific and technological advances

   • Provide decision support for infrastructure investments at European and national levels

2. Enhancing Scientific Capacity and Excellence

   • Increase performance and capacity of research infrastructures

   • Enable research to address societal and scientific challenges

   • Expand access and services for diverse scientific user communities

3. Environmental and Resource Efficiency

   • Minimize environmental impacts during early development

   • Optimize resource and energy use

   • Incorporate sustainable practices in planning and design

4. European Research Area Integration

   • Demonstrate uniqueness and added value for European research

   • Identify gaps and synergies in the current ESFRI and global landscape

   • Highlight potential regional impacts

Scope of Funding

Eligible projects include:

• New infrastructure concepts of European interest

• Transformative upgrades or extensions equivalent to a new infrastructure

• Proposals must justify why alternatives (extensions or integration with existing infrastructures) are not sufficient

Ineligible projects:

• Routine maintenance

• Incremental improvements

• Addition of a single new component to existing infrastructure

Proposal Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate:

• Technical and conceptual feasibility: technologies, architecture, governance, and service planning

• User community needs and potential engagement strategies

• Stakeholder engagement plans and broad membership inclusion

• Financial plans for implementation and long-term sustainability

• Data curation and FAIR principles compliance for preservation and access

Funding Details

• Total funding: €10,000,000

• Individual project funding: €2,000,000 – €3,000,000

• Covers early-stage planning, feasibility studies, and transformative upgrades

Eligibility

Eligible participants include:

• Any legal entity worldwide, including non-associated third-country organizations and international organizations

• Must comply with Horizon Europe regulations

• Beneficiaries and affiliated entities must:

  • Register in the Participant Register

  • Obtain a Participant Identification Code (PIC)

  • Complete validation during grant preparation

How to Apply

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

• Ensure your organization is a legal entity recognized under Horizon Europe

• Register in the Participant Register and obtain a PIC

Step 2: Develop Proposal

• Highlight scientific impact, uniqueness, and added value for European research

• Detail technical feasibility, architecture, and user services

• Include governance and stakeholder engagement strategies

• Provide financial and sustainability plans, including synergy with other funding programs

• Ensure FAIR-compliant data curation and access plans

Step 3: Submit Proposal

• Submit via the Horizon Europe submission portal

• Include all required documentation and compliance forms

Tips for a Strong Proposal

• Emphasize transformative potential rather than minor improvements

• Clearly identify gaps in current European research infrastructure

• Include a robust science case and feasibility study

• Highlight collaborations across national and European levels

• Integrate sustainability and environmental considerations

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting proposals for routine maintenance or minor improvements

• Failing to justify new infrastructure or transformative extension

• Incomplete financial or governance plans

• Neglecting FAIR principles and data management strategies

• Not registering properly in the Participant Register

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who can apply?

Any legal entity worldwide, including non-associated countries and international organizations, meeting Horizon Europe requirements.

2. What is the funding range?

Individual projects are eligible for €2–3 million, with a total funding pool of €10 million.

3. What types of projects are eligible?

• New infrastructure concepts (single-site, multi-site, distributed, or virtual)

• Transformative upgrades or extensions equivalent to new infrastructure

4. Can incremental improvements be funded?

No, only major transformative projects or new concepts are eligible.

5. Is collaboration required?

Proposals should demonstrate synergies with existing European and global infrastructures and stakeholder engagement.

6. What are the key evaluation criteria?

Scientific impact, added value for the European Research Area, feasibility, governance, sustainability, and FAIR-compliant data management.

7. Are environmental considerations mandatory?

Yes, proposals must address environmental impacts, energy efficiency, and sustainable development.

Conclusion

This EC funding opportunity supports innovative and transformative research infrastructure initiatives in Europe. By fostering scientific excellence, capacity building, and sustainable practices, the program enables organizations to develop new infrastructure concepts, execute major upgrades, and integrate European research efforts, ensuring long-term impact and alignment with Horizon Europe priorities.