November 2004 The Research Infrastructures in FP7 DG RTD – Directorate ‘Structuring ERA’

November 2004 Long Term Persistency Coordination between MS Joint research initiatives Stimulation of collaboration Competition for excellence Human potential + Scientific infrastructures One of the 6 major axes in FP7

November 2004 Research Infrastructures are “facilities”, that offer to the scientific community the tools and/or services needed for the development of leading-edge research, of fundamental or applied character “single-sited” “distributed” “virtual” A first reminder…

November 2004 The EC objectives… supported by the statements of the informal Council (1-3 July 2004):  Reinforcement of research capacities  Prevention of fragmentation  Increased co-operation  Development of a roadmap  Increased role of ESFRI

November 2004 Research Infrastructures in FP7 : Two main lines of action  Continuation and improvement of the current (mainly “bottom-up”) approach for optimizing the access to and the utilisation and performance of existing infrastructures  Implementation of a «strategic» approach for developing new infrastructures of pan- European interest

November 2004 There is also a need for an increased role of EU at international level … based on the development of concrete actions … and on a better cooperation at international level (e.g. within the Global Science Forum) Photo NASA/ESA/ASI Cassini-Huygens spacecraft

November 2004 Continuation, improvement and reinforcement of the existing schemes  to optimise the use of infrastructures and to improve their performance  Access to research infrastructures  Integrating activities (networking, coordinated access, research activities)  Communication Network Development  Design Studies (for new infrastructures)  Call for proposals and selection of proposals through a peer review system.

November 2004 The “strategic” approach  Support for the development of future research infrastructures of EU interest based on : 1.a strategic long term vision for research infrastructures – roadmap(s) 2.More targeted support for specific research infrastructure projects 3.Increased use of financial engineering mechanisms to support such new infrastructures

November 2004 A clear vision A clear vision of the needs for new research infrastructures in the medium–long term should be defined as well as a corresponding roadmap. The European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) will play a major role in this context.

November 2004 European roadmap for RI  ESFRI will develop a roadmap for construction of new RIs for the next years  With a transparent methodology, recognized by all stakeholders  Using agreed criteria (European dimension, needs of the scientific community, technological feasibility, …)  Under a continuous process, with annual updates First results expected by mid 2005

November 2004 ESFRI working method  3 Steering Groups are being set up : - Physical Sciences and Engineering - Biological and Medical Sciences - Social Sciences and Humanities  A fourth group was already existing : - eIRG, for eInfrastructures  Dedicated Expert Groups may be set up Inputs also from e.g., national roadmaps, Studies, industrial representative bodies, EIROforum, ESF, WHO, …

November 2004 List of priority projects  Established by the Commission on the basis of the roadmap - «balanced», periodically updated - with justifications for each pan-European project  Using clear criteria (potential impact {Lisbon objectives, reduced fragmentation of efforts}, European partnership, timeliness, readiness, budgetary planning, quality of management, …)

November 2004 The operational mechanism A two-stage process within FP7 :  Preparatory phase - through restricted calls targeted to the list of priority projects - for construction plans, legal organisation, management structure, …  Implementation phase - following successful first phase - for concrete construction and operation

November 2004 An active Commission’s role  Acting as a facilitator for the overall projects - leveraging and catalysing action, - financial engineering, - legal framework, …  Coordinating the Community instruments (Framework Programme, Structural Funds, EIB) and assessing consistency of actions  Ensuring a close monitoring of the projects

November 2004 Suggested calendar to consolidate an EU policy on RIs 1.Agreement on the approach 2.Consolidation of work 3.Analysis of current activities ; Vision for the future 4.Analysis of roadmap for new RIs and of operational mechanisms 5.Towards a Council resolution and presentation of specific programmes October 2004 Spring 05 November 2004 Autumn 2005 Summer 05