Research infrastructure services to enable R&I addressing main challenges and EU priorities

The Horizon Europe program is offering funding opportunities through the call "Research Infrastructures 2025" (HORIZON-INFRA-2025-01) with a submission deadline of September 18, 2025. This initiative aims to enhance research and innovation by providing advanced research infrastructure services, focusing on existing services while also supporting optimization and the development of new services. Proposals should adhere to the European Charter for Access to Research Infrastructures and address data management and interoperability, promoting connections to European and international initiatives.

Eligible applicants include research institutions and consortia that must involve at least one ESFRI Landmark or ERIC. The grant covers EU member states, associated countries, and selected third-country entities under specific conditions. The program focuses on areas such as advanced biotechnology, climate change, new aviation fuels, and radionuclides.

Funding amounts vary based on the specific topic, with grants ranging from one million to fifteen million euros in various configurations. The application type is a single-stage open call. The program aims to improve research infrastructure accessibility, foster knowledge sharing, and contribute to European strategic priorities, including the Green Deal.

The call is categorized into different areas, targeting advanced biotechnology, health-related radionuclides, climate impact prediction, and sustainable aviation fuels, with specific project requirements and indicative budgets for each topic. Through these efforts, Horizon Europe seeks to bolster European research capacity and competitiveness on a global scale.

The EU's Horizon Europe program is offering funding opportunities under the call "Research Infrastructures 2025" (HORIZON-INFRA-2025-01) to enhance research and innovation (R&I) by providing access to advanced research infrastructure services. The deadline for submission is September 18, 2025.

The primary goal is to provide transnational, virtual, remote, integrated, and customized access to research infrastructure services. This includes user training, technical support, and activities to improve access procedures and harmonize services. The focus is on existing services, with support also available for optimizing and developing new services. Longer-term R&D for new instrumentation is excluded.

Proposals must adhere to the European Charter for Access to Research Infrastructures and address data management, interoperability, and connection to the European Open Science Cloud. They should also consider relevant European and international initiatives and promote the use of global standards.

Projects should involve interdisciplinary research infrastructures of European interest, including at least one ESFRI Landmark or ERIC as a beneficiary. Involvement of third-country research infrastructures is possible if they offer complementary or more advanced services. An outreach plan to engage research communities, especially from Widening countries and SMEs, is required. Synergies with other EU grants are expected.

The call targets four specific areas:

Area 1: Research infrastructure services for advanced biotechnology and biomanufacturing. This area aims to modernize agriculture, forestry, energy, food, feed sectors, and industry, contributing to a more competitive, resilient, and healthier EU. It emphasizes the use of the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation and Synthetic Biology Accelerator (EU IBISBA). The Joint Research Centre (JRC) Nanobiotechnology and Environmental biotechnology laboratories could be included.

Area 2: Research infrastructure services for access to novel radionuclides and facilities. Proposals should build on the PRISMAP project, offering access to radionuclides and biomedical facilities, supporting translational and preclinical research, and investigating the upscaling of radionuclide production. Engagement with the EU SAMIRA action plan is also required. The JRC PAMEC and FMR facilities in Karlsruhe could be included, focusing on research into novel therapeutic medical radionuclides.

Area 3: Research infrastructure services to improve the understanding and prediction of future climate changes and their impact. This area focuses on improving knowledge of the Earth system and its future responses, requiring access to Earth climate system modelling services, software, high-performance computing resources, and data. Links with Horizon Europe Cluster 5 Destination 1, the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change, and Destination Earth are essential. The JRC Marine Optical laboratory (MARlab) could be included.

Area 4: Research infrastructure services for New Aviation Fuels and Combustion Technologies. This area aims to develop a competitive European industry for sustainable aviation fuels, including liquid hydrogen, and requires comprehensive testing facilities. Research infrastructures should build on past integration and offer access to facilities for adapting and expanding test combustion capabilities, assessing sustainable aviation fuels, and supporting the approval of SAF candidates. The JRC could offer relevant services and expertise.

The call includes various topics with different budget allocations and grant sizes:

HORIZON-INFRA-2025-01-DEV-01: Coordination and Support Actions, Budget 10,000,000 EUR, Contributions 1,000,000 to 1,500,000 EUR, Indicative 8 grants.

HORIZON-INFRA-2025-01-DEV-02: Coordination and Support Actions, Budget 16,500,000 EUR, Contributions 1,000,000 to 1,500,000 EUR, Indicative 11 grants.

HORIZON-INFRA-2025-01-DEV-03: Research and Innovation Actions, Budget 30,000,000 EUR, Contributions 3,000,000 to 4,000,000 EUR, Indicative 8 grants.

HORIZON-INFRA-2025-01-DEV-04: Coordination and Support Actions, Budget 3,000,000 EUR, Contributions 1,500,000 to 3,000,000 EUR, Indicative 1 grant.

HORIZON-INFRA-2025-01-DEV-05: Coordination and Support Actions, Budget 4,500,000 EUR, Contributions 1,000,000 to 1,500,000 EUR, Indicative 3 grants.

HORIZON-INFRA-2025-01-EOSC-01: Research and Innovation Actions, Budget 30,000,000 EUR, Contributions 6,000,000 to 8,000,000 EUR, Indicative 4 grants.

HORIZON-INFRA-2025-01-EOSC-02: Research and Innovation Actions, Budget 16,000,000 EUR, Contributions 5,000,000 to 8,000,000 EUR, Indicative 2 grants.

HORIZON-INFRA-2025-01-EOSC-03: Research and Innovation Actions, Budget 15,000,000 EUR, Contributions 7,500,000 to 15,000,000 EUR, Indicative 2 grants.

HORIZON-INFRA-2025-01-EOSC-04: Coordination and Support Actions, Budget 8,000,000 EUR, Contributions 5,000,000 to 8,000,000 EUR, Indicative 1 grant.

HORIZON-INFRA-2025-01-EOSC-05: Research and Innovation Actions, Budget 37,500,000 EUR, Contributions 7,500,000 to 10,000,000 EUR, Indicative 4 grants.

HORIZON-INFRA-2025-01-SERV-01: Research and Innovation Actions, Budget 30,000,000 EUR, Contributions around 10,000,000 EUR, Indicative 3 grants.

HORIZON-INFRA-2025-01-SERV-02: Research and Innovation Actions, Budget 20,000,000 EUR, Contributions around 5,000,000 EUR, Indicative 4 grants.

HORIZON-INFRA-2025-01-SERV-03: Research and Innovation Actions, Budget 20,000,000 EUR, Contributions around 10,000,000 EUR, Indicative 2 grants.

HORIZON-INFRA-2025-01-SERV-04: Research and Innovation Actions, Budget 20,000,000 EUR, Contributions around 5,000,000 EUR, Indicative 5 grants.

HORIZON-INFRA-2025-01-TECH-01: Research and Innovation Actions, Budget 25,000,000 EUR, Contributions around 5,000,000 EUR, Indicative 5 grants.

HORIZON-INFRA-2025-01-TECH-02: Research and Innovation Actions, Budget 45,000,000 EUR, Contributions around 10,000,000 EUR, Indicative 4 grants.

HORIZON-INFRA-2025-01-TECH-03: Research and Innovation Actions, Budget 30,000,000 EUR, Contributions 7,000,000 to 10,000,000 EUR, Indicative 4 grants.

HORIZON-INFRA-2025-01-TECH-04: Research and Innovation Actions, Budget 40,000,000 EUR, Contributions 8,000,000 to 10,000,000 EUR, Indicative 4 grants.

The call aims to bolster European research infrastructure by offering funding for projects that provide access to state-of-the-art facilities and services. It targets key areas such as biotechnology, radionuclide research, climate change modeling, and sustainable aviation fuels. By facilitating transnational and virtual access, the EU seeks to enhance innovation, address societal challenges, and promote the long-term sustainability of research infrastructures. The call encourages collaboration with ESFRI Landmarks and ERICs, as well as the involvement of third-country infrastructures where they offer unique capabilities. Ultimately, this initiative aims to strengthen Europe's research capacity and competitiveness on a global scale.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types for this opportunity are research infrastructures, legal entities hosting ERIC facilities, resources or related services, and exceptionally, legal entities established in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, India, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Switzerland, and USA, provided they offer access to their research infrastructures to researchers from Member States and Associated Countries. The Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission can also participate as a member of the consortium. The call also mentions outreach to relevant industries, including SMEs, suggesting they can benefit from the program, although their eligibility as direct applicants is not explicitly stated.

Funding Type: The funding type includes HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) and HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (HORIZON-CSA), both of which are grant-based. Eligible costs may take the form of unit costs for trans-national and virtual access to research infrastructures.

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity requires a consortium of multiple applicants. Proposals should involve a necessary interdisciplinary set of research infrastructures of European interest. The proposed actions should ensure strong links to research infrastructures of pan-European relevance, as prioritised by ESFRI and the ERICs. Proposals must include at least one ESFRI Landmark or European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC) as a beneficiary.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes EU Member States, Associated Countries, and, exceptionally, legal entities established in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, India, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Switzerland, and USA, under specific conditions. Access could also be open to third countries’ researchers to work on global challenges.

Target Sector: The program targets several thematic sectors, including: advanced biotechnology and biomanufacturing, access to novel radionuclides and facilities, climate, and new aviation fuels and combustion technologies.

Mentioned Countries: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, India, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Switzerland, USA, Germany. The EU and associated countries are also mentioned as eligible regions.

Project Stage: The project stage is focused on providing access to existing research infrastructure services, improving and optimising existing services, and developing new services for use in the mid-term (2-3 years). The topic does not support longer-term R&D for new instrumentation, tools, methods, and advanced digital solutions.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic within the call, ranging from 1,000,000 to 15,000,000 EUR for HORIZON-CSA actions and from 3,000,000 to 15,000,000 EUR for HORIZON-RIA actions.

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 grants to provide access to research infrastructures, training, and support services. Eligible costs may take the form of unit costs for trans-national and virtual access to research infrastructures.

Application Stages: The application process involves a single stage.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but the indicative number of grants is provided for each topic, which can be used to estimate the potential success rate based on the number of expected applications.

Co-funding Requirement: The text does not explicitly mention a co-funding requirement.

Summary: This Horizon Europe call (HORIZON-INFRA-2025-01) aims to enhance research and innovation by providing access to integrated and customised research infrastructure services. The call targets several key areas: advanced biotechnology and biomanufacturing, novel radionuclides and facilities, climate change understanding and prediction, and new aviation fuels and combustion technologies. It supports transnational and virtual access to research infrastructures for researchers from EU Member States, Associated Countries, and, in some cases, third countries. The call encourages consortia to include ESFRI Landmarks or ERICs and promotes synergies with other EU grants. The funding is provided through HORIZON-RIA and HORIZON-CSA actions, with grants ranging from 1,000,000 to 15,000,000 EUR, depending on the action type and specific topic. The application process is a single-stage submission, with a deadline of September 18, 2025. The call seeks to improve research infrastructure services, harmonise standards, and foster knowledge sharing across scientific disciplines and sectors, ultimately contributing to the European Green Deal objectives and the EU's strategic autonomy and resilience.