1. ESFRI European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures

2. What is ESFRI?
European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI)
Launched in April 2002
Brings together representatives of the 27 EU Member States and the Associated States, appointed by Research Ministers, and one representative of the European Commission (EC)

3. Role of ESFRI
To foster an “open method of coordination” between different countries
stimulation role: to discuss the long term vision at European level and to support the development of a European RI policy
incubation role: to bring projects to a point where decisions by ministers are possible

4. Operational Structure
CHAIR
Executive Board
ESFRI Secretariat (EC)
ESFRI
*RWG-PSE
*RWG-BMS
*RWG-SSH
*RWG-ENV
*- e-IRG - ESF -
*RWGs may seek the advice of external experts if appropriate/necessary

5. It is the beginning of an ongoing process
The Roadmap
Mandate from the Council of Ministers, November 2004;
The Roadmap, presented autumn 2006, is the result of two years of intensive work; about 1000 high-level experts were involved giving the end product credibility and quality.
It is the beginning of an ongoing process

6. Some fields should be stimulated for further integration
The Roadmap (2)
Addressing seven (7) fields of Research and major challenges
Thirty Five (35) projects identified
Research community produced ideas that will open up new and unexpected areas of knowledge
Some fields should be stimulated for further integration

7. Environmental Sciences
AURORA BOREALIS
IAGOS-ERI
7 Projects
EUFAR
EURO-ARGO
EMSO
LIFEWATCH
ICOS

8. Who is the Roadmap for ? Policy Makers Researchers Funders Industry
ESFRI welcomes the active role which the European Commission intends to play under the 7th Framework Programme.

9. More is to come Implementation and update of the Roadmap:
some of the projects will be in place already next year
Strengthening the European Research Area:
Research Infrastructures as major cornerstones
Continuation of the ESFRI work:
ESFRI encourages constructive debate

10. Two activities for the 4 RWGs (+ e-Infra crosscut-outlook)•
Ongoing activity: help ESFRI implementing the present Roadmap:
–Advice on best approaches
–Report on bottlenecks and initiatives
–Anything to be updated….or dropped?
Specific activity: the first update of the Roadmap:
–Update and define better the landscape
–Evaluate proposals transmitted by ESFRI
–Give advise on improvements: use of e-Infrastr?
Wherever possible: use existing international organizations + existing studies.

11. Timeline, update of the roadmap
Finalisation of all documents
Submission of proposals
Evaluation on of proposal
Consensus report in RWG
Draft roadmap report
Second draft
Publication & press
Activity report
Dec-Jan
Sept-Nov 2007
Feb
April 2008
July 2008
Sept 2008
Oct 2008

12. Useful links and contacts
ESFRI:
E-irg Group:
contact: