The feedback to the European Commission’s call for evidence for the upcoming European Strategy on Research and Technology Infrastructures is in. These infrastructures play a key role in driving scientific excellence, technological innovation, and industrial competitiveness. This is why the Commission is prioritising a strategy to boost such infrastructures.
The call for evidence, which was open for four weeks on the “Have your Say” portal, attracted 441 responses from 29 countries. It received replies from:
- 19 EU Member States, with the highest participation from Germany, Spain, and Belgium; and
- 10 non-EU countries, with the highest participation from the United Kingdom and Norway.
Participants to this consultation included academic and research institutions, companies, public authorities, non-governmental organisations and citizens.
Based on a preliminary assessment, contributions to the consultation focused on five priority areas:
- Improving accessibility of infrastructures, particularly for new users, including SMEs and start-ups.
- Ensuring the sustainability of long-term funding for infrastructure capacity and operations.
- Advancing digitalisation, data interoperability, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) integration, especially for research infrastructures as scientific data generators.
- Aligning technology infrastructures with industrial needs and strategic EU priorities.
- Enhancing coordination between infrastructures.
Many respondents also emphasised the importance of a seamless continuation of complementary infrastructure services to support the innovation cycle from scientific excellence to breakthrough innovation.
Sectors highlighted as particularly relevant by respondents include health, environment, energy, digital and space. Priorities mentioned range from genomics and cancer research to clean energy, marine science, digital infrastructures and space technologies.
Next steps
The Commission is now analysing the feedback received alongside other input. The results will feed into the preparation of a Commission Communication on the European Strategy on Research and Technology Infrastructures. The strategy will guide future EU action to strategically align and maximise the impact of these infrastructures. The objective is to ensure that scientists, researchers, innovators and industry in Europe can access and benefit from the world-class facilities, high-quality data and tailored services they need.
More information
Towards a European Strategy on Research and Technology Infrastructures
