Consolidation of the research infrastructure landscape – development of complementarities, synergies and/or integration between a set of pan-European ...
Overview
Eligible applicants primarily include ESFRI Landmarks and European Research Infrastructure Consortia (ERICs), which must be core beneficiaries of the proposals. The project requires a consortium of multiple applicants, specifically aiming at collaborations between at least two ESFRI Landmarks or ERICs. The geographic eligibility covers EU member states and countries associated with Horizon Europe, with some non-associated countries potentially eligible under specific provisions.
The funding type for this opportunity is a lump sum grant, aligned with the Horizon Europe funding mechanism, designated as HORIZON-RIA (Research and Innovation Actions). The total budget allocated for this call is €20 million, with an expectation of funding four projects, ranging from a minimum of €2 million to a maximum of €5 million per grant.
Proposals are expected to address either operational integration, developing shared services and synergies among infrastructures, or the feasibility and planning processes for mergers between infrastructures. The application process follows a single-stage submission format, with the opening date set for March 9, 2027, and a deadline of June 15, 2027.
The nature of support entails monetary assistance in the form of lump sum grants with a requirement for co-funding from beneficiary institutions and their member states. While specific success rates for applications are not explicitly provided, the call indicates competitiveness based on proposal quality, estimating about 20 to 25 percent of submitted proposals could succeed.
In summary, this Horizon Europe call seeks to enhance the EU research infrastructure by consolidating and integrating existing facilities. Through collaborative projects, it aims to bolster the sustainability and efficiency of research operations, align with EU policy objectives, and reinforce the global competitiveness of the European Research Area. Applicants must include ESFRI Landmarks or ERICs, and careful adherence to the proposal guidelines is essential for successful submissions.
Detail
The call follows a single-stage deadline model. The planned opening date is March 9, 2027, and the deadline for submission is June 15, 2027, at 17:00:00 Brussels time.
The expected outcomes of funded projects include: a better-structured, integrated, and strengthened European research infrastructure landscape; solid concepts and comprehensive plans for integrated research infrastructures to support decision-making, leading to increased sustainability and efficiency; increased synergies between research infrastructures; increased capacity to address EU policy priorities and support EU industry; and reinforced global competitiveness and attractiveness of the European Research Area.
The scope of the call focuses on supporting the consolidation and improved functioning of the EU research infrastructure landscape. This involves developing complementarities, synergies, and/or integration between at least two ESFRI Landmarks or European Research Infrastructure Consortia (ERICs), or, if justified, between one ESFRI Landmark or ERIC and other European research infrastructures of European interest.
Proposals can address either a tighter operational integration between infrastructures or the feasibility and planning of a merging between infrastructures. The rationale and potential benefits of the planned consolidation action must be clearly outlined.
When addressing operational integration, projects should develop complementarities and synergies at thematic and/or cross-disciplinary levels. This includes service level agreements for sharing horizontal/common services/tools to increase efficiency and prevent duplication. Synergies should address complex research challenges and EU priorities through cooperation mechanisms that ensure sustainable and long-term integration of services and resources. Joint staff skill development, including exchange programs, can also be supported.
When addressing a merging between infrastructures, proposals must involve the funders of the different infrastructures, develop the concept of the merged infrastructure in all its dimensions (governance, legal form, operation), and define the operational steps and financial forecast for the merging process. Pilots for integrating services and resources, as well as joint staff skill development, can also be supported.
Proposals should explain any synergies and complementarities with previous or current EU grants, particularly those under the research infrastructures part of the Horizon Europe work program.
To be eligible, proposals must include at least one ESFRI Landmark or ERIC as a beneficiary. The research infrastructure(s) operated by these beneficiaries must be explicitly identified in the proposal. For distributed ERICs, the ERIC itself must be the beneficiary.
Eligible costs will be reimbursed as a lump sum, as defined in the relevant EU decision.
The call provides a budget overview for various topics under the Research Infrastructures 2027 call, including:
HORIZON-INFRA-2027-01-EOSC-01: HORIZON Programme Cofund Actions, with a budget of EUR 40,000,000 and an indicative one grant.
HORIZON-INFRA-2027-01-EOSC-02: HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions, with a budget of EUR 8,000,000, contributions ranging from EUR 2,500,000 to EUR 4,000,000, and an indicative two grants.
HORIZON-INFRA-2027-DEV-01-01: HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions, with a budget of EUR 30,000,000, contributions ranging from EUR 1,500,000 to EUR 3,500,000, and an indicative nine grants.
HORIZON-INFRA-2027-DEV-01-02: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions, with a budget of EUR 20,000,000, contributions ranging from EUR 2,000,000 to EUR 5,000,000, and an indicative four grants.
HORIZON-INFRA-2027-DEV-01-03: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions, with a budget of EUR 29,500,000, contributions ranging from EUR 3,000,000 to EUR 4,500,000, and an indicative eight grants.
HORIZON-INFRA-2027-SERV-01-01: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions, with a budget of EUR 105,000,000 and an indicative three grants, each around EUR 35,000,000.
HORIZON-INFRA-2027-SERV-01-02: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions, with a budget of EUR 35,000,000 and an indicative six grants, each around EUR 6,000,000.
HORIZON-INFRA-2027-SERV-01-03: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions, with a budget of EUR 12,000,000 and an indicative four grants, each around EUR 3,000,000.
HORIZON-INFRA-2027-TECH-01-01: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions, with a budget of EUR 30,000,000, contributions ranging from EUR 10,000,000 to EUR 15,000,000, and an indicative two grants.
HORIZON-INFRA-2027-TECH-01-02: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions, with a budget of EUR 30,000,000, contributions ranging from EUR 7,000,000 to EUR 12,000,000, and an indicative three grants.
The call encourages partner searches and provides links to relevant resources, including the Horizon Europe Programme Guide, Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ, Research Enquiry Service, National Contact Points, Enterprise Europe Network, IT Helpdesk, European IPR Helpdesk, CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk, ETSI Research Helpdesk, and the European Charter for Researchers.
In summary, this Horizon Europe call aims to consolidate and improve the functioning of the EU's research infrastructure landscape by supporting projects that promote integration, synergy, and complementarity between ESFRI Landmarks, ERICs, and other key research infrastructures. It offers funding for both operational integration and the planning of mergers, with a focus on enhancing efficiency, addressing EU priorities, and boosting the global competitiveness of the European Research Area. Applicants must include at least one ESFRI Landmark or ERIC as a beneficiary and should carefully review the call conditions and guidelines for proposal preparation and submission.
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Breakdown
Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-RIA) and HORIZON Programme Cofund Actions, with eligible costs taking the form of a lump sum. There are also HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (HORIZON-CSA).
Consortium Requirement: A consortium is required, with proposals needing to include at least one ESFRI Landmark or European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC) as a beneficiary.
Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes EU and associated countries. Non-EU/non-Associated Countries may also be eligible if they have specific provisions for funding participants in Horizon Europe projects, as detailed in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.
Target Sector: The target sector is research infrastructures, with a focus on consolidating and improving the functioning of the EU research infrastructure landscape. This includes developing complementarities, synergies, and/or integration between research infrastructures.
Mentioned Countries: The opportunity is open to EU countries, associated countries, and potentially non-EU/non-associated countries with specific provisions.
Project Stage: The project stage targets consolidation, operational integration, feasibility studies, and planning for merging research infrastructures. This suggests projects should be at the development, validation, or demonstration stage.
Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic within the call:
HORIZON-INFRA-2027-01-EOSC-01: around €40,000,000
HORIZON-INFRA-2027-01-EOSC-02: €2,500,000 to €4,000,000
HORIZON-INFRA-2027-DEV-01-01: €1,500,000 to €3,500,000
HORIZON-INFRA-2027-DEV-01-02: €2,000,000 to €5,000,000
HORIZON-INFRA-2027-DEV-01-03: €3,000,000 to €4,500,000
HORIZON-INFRA-2027-SERV-01-01: around €35,000,000
HORIZON-INFRA-2027-SERV-01-02: around €6,000,000
HORIZON-INFRA-2027-SERV-01-03: around €3,000,000
HORIZON-INFRA-2027-TECH-01-01: €10,000,000 to €15,000,000
HORIZON-INFRA-2027-TECH-01-02: €7,000,000 to €12,000,000
Application Type: The application type is an open call with a single-stage submission process.
Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in the form of lump sum grants.
Application Stages: The application process is a single-stage process.
Success Rates: The indicative number of grants varies per topic, providing some insight into potential success rates, but a precise success rate cannot be determined from the provided text.
Co-funding Requirement: The need for co-funding is not explicitly stated, but as a HORIZON Programme Cofund Action is listed, co-funding may be implied for certain topics.
Summary: This Horizon Europe call aims to consolidate and improve the EU's research infrastructure (RI) landscape. It supports projects that foster integration, synergies, and complementarities between ESFRI Landmarks, ERICs, and other key research infrastructures. Proposals can focus on tighter operational integration or planning for infrastructure mergers. Eligible applicants include ESFRI Landmarks and ERICs, and projects must involve at least one of these entities. Funding is provided as lump-sum grants under Horizon Europe's Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) and Coordination and Support Actions (CSA). The call is open to EU member states, associated countries, and potentially non-EU/non-associated countries with specific agreements. The call seeks to create a better-structured, more efficient, and globally competitive European Research Area. The application process involves a single-stage submission, and the indicative budget and number of grants vary by topic. The call for proposals will open on March 9, 2027, and the deadline for submission is June 15, 2027.
Short Summary
Impact The funding aims to consolidate and improve the EU's research infrastructure landscape by fostering complementarities, synergies, and integration between European research infrastructures. | Impact | The funding aims to consolidate and improve the EU's research infrastructure landscape by fostering complementarities, synergies, and integration between European research infrastructures. |
Applicant Applicants should have expertise in managing large-scale research infrastructures, particularly those recognized as ESFRI Landmarks or European Research Infrastructure Consortia (ERICs). | Applicant | Applicants should have expertise in managing large-scale research infrastructures, particularly those recognized as ESFRI Landmarks or European Research Infrastructure Consortia (ERICs). |
Developments The funding will support projects that develop complementarities, synergies, and/or integration between at least two ESFRI Landmarks or ERICs, or between one ESFRI Landmark or ERIC and other European research infrastructures of European interest. | Developments | The funding will support projects that develop complementarities, synergies, and/or integration between at least two ESFRI Landmarks or ERICs, or between one ESFRI Landmark or ERIC and other European research infrastructures of European interest. |
Applicant Type This funding is designed for consortia that include at least one ESFRI Landmark or ERIC as a beneficiary, focusing on large-scale research infrastructures. | Applicant Type | This funding is designed for consortia that include at least one ESFRI Landmark or ERIC as a beneficiary, focusing on large-scale research infrastructures. |
Consortium A consortium of multiple applicants is required, specifically including at least one ESFRI Landmark or ERIC as a beneficiary. | Consortium | A consortium of multiple applicants is required, specifically including at least one ESFRI Landmark or ERIC as a beneficiary. |
Funding Amount The funding range is between €2,000,000 and €5,000,000 per project, with a total budget of €20,000,000 for this call. | Funding Amount | The funding range is between €2,000,000 and €5,000,000 per project, with a total budget of €20,000,000 for this call. |
Countries The funding is relevant for EU member states and associated countries, with potential participation from non-EU/non-associated countries under specific provisions. | Countries | The funding is relevant for EU member states and associated countries, with potential participation from non-EU/non-associated countries under specific provisions. |
Industry This funding targets the research infrastructure sector, specifically focusing on the consolidation and integration of research infrastructures in Europe. | Industry | This funding targets the research infrastructure sector, specifically focusing on the consolidation and integration of research infrastructures in Europe. |
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