An ERIC FORUM Position Paper about the Role of ERICs in the 10th Framework Programme (FP10)

A position paper was published in April 2024 focused on the role of European Research Infrastructure Consortia (ERICs) in the European Commission’s upcoming funding programme. The 10th Framework Programme (FP10), scheduled for implementation from 2028 to 2035, will build upon the successes of its predecessors, Horizon 2020 (FP8) and Horizon Europe (FP9), by the ERIC FORUM.

ERICs are increasingly recognized as vital instruments for achieving meaningful scientific, technological, and societal impact.

This position paper identifies six key areas for consideration: funding, consolidation, structural support, governance, innovation, and access, and also highlights the continuous support of ERICs under the 9th Framework Program (FP9), which allowed these consortia to expand their operations and further enhance their contributions to advance science in the European Research Area. ERICs have evolved beyond their original mandate of providing basic research services; they now play a crucial role in addressing broad societal challenges and aligning with the European Union’s policy objectives. As stated in this position paper, “ERICs now offer services that support not only basic research but also initiatives that address significant societal issues, aligning with EU policy goals and serving as key instruments in translating these policies into actionable, impactful outcomes.”

It is also emphasized that financial support from Member States is still linked to the initial remit of ERICs. It calls on the European Commission to work with Member States to secure enhanced national funding through Structural Funds, where applicable.

It also stresses that additional direct support from the European Commission would strengthen the mission and impact of ERICs, expanding their reach and visibility across Europe and beyond.

This position paper advocates for recognizing existing ERICs as Strategic Assets and calls for greater focus on new initiatives that bring together existing infrastructures, rather than funding projects aimed at establishing new ERICs.

As highlighted in the paper, “Together, ERICs offer the broadest range of services to scientific communities, spanning disciplines from social, life, and environmental sciences to astronomy, physics, and engineering.”

One of the key issues raised in the paper is the need to distribute Research Infrastructure costs more equitably, particularly to enhance the involvement and impact of Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries. It is therefore recommended that FP10 includes additional calls under the Widening Instrument to encourage participation and development of national nodes within ERICs, as well as support and access for countries that are not yet ERIC members.

The paper further suggests that FP10 should provide support for ERICs to refine their governance structures, allowing them to remain agile and responsive to an evolving research environment. This type of funding is typically outside the scope of most ERIC operational and research budgets.

As noted in the paper, “Additional funding for governance development and management training could significantly improve ERICs’ effectiveness.”

Another important area highlighted is the integration of ERICs with industry. The paper calls on FP10 to continue funding initiatives (such as INFRATECH) that foster stronger connections between research infrastructures and the private sector. Further EC support to raise awareness and promote critical interactions between ERICs and industry, especially through initiatives like the European Innovation Council, is encouraged.

“Funding instruments that promote cooperation between ERICs, industry, and the public sector will help realize the full potential of ERICs, leveraging their unique assets and legal structure,” the paper asserts.

The paper also stresses that FP10 funding should ensure that researchers can fully benefit from the services provided by ERICs, with access to these services not contingent on the availability of additional funding.

The paper concludes by calling for funding mechanisms that enable European researchers to take full advantage of the broad range of services offered by ERICs, thereby unlocking their full potential. “For researchers to fully benefit from the ERIC services now available to them, funding for access to and use of these services (including physical, remote, and virtual access) must be continuously available at the European level.”

In conclusion, the ERIC FORUM asserts that FP10 will play a pivotal role in securing the future success of all 28 ERICs and that ERICs are essential for achieving the ambitious goals of the European scientific community.

The ERIC Forum is a collective body representing ERICs and ERIC projects aiming to advance the operations of ERICs and strategically contribute to the development of ERIC related policies.

ISIDORe: EU Project on Integrated Services for Infectious Disease Outbreak Research with Participation from MIRRI-ERIC Partners

Launched in February 2022, ISIDORe – Integrated Services for Infectious Disease Outbreak Research is an ambitious, interdisciplinary project coordinated by ERINHA and funded by the European Commission under the Horizon Europe programme through the HERA Incubator call. Bringing together Europe’s leading life sciences research infrastructures and networks, along with experts in the social sciences, ISIDORe represents a groundbreaking effort to enhance Europe’s ability to respond to infectious disease outbreaks.

By uniting 154 partners from a wide array of research organisations – including INSTRUCT, EUBIOIMAGING, EUOPENSCREEN, ECRIN, EATRIS, BBMRI, EMBRC, ELIXIR, ERINHA, EVAg, VETBIONET, INFRAVEC, SONAR GLOBAL, TRANSVAC, MIRRI, and EMERGEN – ISIDORe creates an integrated, One Health-driven portfolio of cutting-edge research services. These resources support everything from fundamental scientific research to the most applied, practical solutions for tackling epidemic-prone diseases, including SARS-CoV-2 variants and other priority pathogens.

A key feature of ISIDORe is its commitment to open-access, offering free access to state-of-the-art resources and services to global scientific communities. This initiative supports research during both “peaceful times” and during disease outbreaks or epidemics, providing vital resources that help enhance preparedness and accelerate the development of new medical solutions.

As the project enters its third year, ISIDORe continues to play a pivotal role in speeding up research and improving Europe’s readiness to tackle emerging infectious diseases. The project has been instrumental in supporting research into critical pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2 variants, Mpox, and other high-priority infectious agents.

MIRRI-ERIC plays a significant role in ISIDORe through its involvement with Institut Pasteur (France) and University of Minho (Portugal). Institut Pasteur’s Biological Resource Center (CRBIP) contributes as a key service provider under the Transnational Access program (TNA) and participates in Joint Research Activities (JRA) focused on genome typing for pathogen surveillance. Meanwhile, the University of Minho contributes to the strategic direction of ISIDORe through its representation on the Governing Board of the consortium.

Through ISIDORe, Institut Pasteur and University of Minho are advancing research on epidemic-prone diseases, improving Europe’s preparedness and response capabilities, and supporting the development of medical countermeasures. They also ensure that research data emerging from ISIDORe activities is shared according to FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) principles, fostering collaboration and accelerating scientific progress.

Key Highlights:
  • ISIDORe brings together 154 partners from across Europe to provide free access to advanced research services for infectious disease research.
  • The project plays a crucial role in epidemic preparedness, focusing on SARS-CoV-2 variants, Mpox, and other priority pathogens.
  • MIRRI-ERIC contributes through Institut Pasteur and University of Minho, advancing research and supporting Europe’s response to emerging infectious diseases.

For more information about the ISIDORe project, please visit https://isidore-project.eu/ or contact the coordination team by email contact@isidore-project.eu 

European Life Science Research Infrastructures (LS-RIs) Launch Strategic Position Paper for Framework Programme 10 (FP10)

The European Life Science Research Infrastructures (LS-RIs) have released a joint position paper titled “Driving Innovation and Collaboration: A Strategic Vision for European Life Science Research Infrastructures in Framework Programme 10.” This key document outlines the critical priorities for the next European Framework Programme for Research (FP10), setting the stage for advancing life sciences research, technology, and innovation beyond 2027.

 With FP10 on the horizon, the LS-RIs are advocating for these measures to ensure that European life science infrastructures continue to fuel innovation, collaboration, and scientific breakthroughs. The full position paper can be accessed here.

 Read more here.

MIRRI-ERIC is hiring a Project and Financial Manager for the project MICROBES-4-CLIMATE.

The Microbial Resource Research Infrastructure, part of the European Research Infrastructure Consortium MICROBES-4-CLIMATE, is currently seeking a qualified candidate for the position of Project and Financial Manager for the Horizon Europe-funded project, MICROBES-4-CLIMATE.

About MICROBES-4-CLIMATE: MICROBES-4-CLIMATE is a groundbreaking project funded by Horizon Europe, with a mission to address climate change risks for biodiversity, agricultural, and forestry ecosystems. The project aims to facilitate curiosity-driven research and advance frontier knowledge by providing a wider community of users and researchers with access to world-class Research Infrastructures and integrated, advanced services.

 

Role and Responsibilities: The Project and Financial Manager of MICROBES-4-CLIMATE will support the project coordinator in the execution of WP9 tasks (Project Management) and in the supervision of WP8 (Visibility and Outreach), until the completion of D9.12 – Pre-reporting budget update 3, Pre-reporting update amendment to duly reflect flexible budget reallocations to prioritised joint research and access service provision in accordance with project’s governance stipulations – update 3, due on month 48.

The successful candidate will coordinate and supervise all processes to ensure the management environment and associated support for the efficient and timely implementation of the project activities. This person will also ensure the preparation and timely delivery of WP9 Deliverables, and support, review and submit the other project Deliverables and Milestones.

Read more here.

MICROBES-4-CLIMATE Project was presented at the Workshop “Research Infrastructures Towards Agroecological Transition – How to Boost Our Impact by Working Together?”, organized by the AgroServ project

MICROBES-4-CLIMATE Project was presented at the Workshop “Research Infrastructures Towards Agroecological Transition – How to Boost Our Impact by Working Together?”, organized by the AgroServ project

Nelson Lima, co-coordinator of the Transnational Access Program of the Horizon Europe project MICROBES-4-CLIMATE, coordinator of the Portuguese Node of the Microbial Resource Research Infrastructure – European Research Infrastructure Consortium (MIRRI-ERIC) and full professor at the University of Minho presented the most recent achievements of Microbes-4-Climate at the workshop “Research Infrastructures Towards Agroecological Transition – How to Boost Our Impact by Working Together?” organised by AgroServ.

Read more here

AgroServ Project Transnational Access / Virtual Access Call for Agro-Food Research, Featuring Participation from MIRRI-ERIC Partners BCCM and INRAE

Braga (Portugal), 27th of September 2024 – AgroServ Project Transnational Access / Virtual Access Call for Agro-Food Research, Featuring Participation from MIRRI-ERIC Partners BCCM and INRAE

The AgroServ project has an open Transnational Access (TNA) and Virtual Access (VA) call, offering unique opportunities for researchers in the agro-food sector. This call provides access to a wide range of cutting-edge facilities and resources across Europe to foster innovative research in agro-food systems. The Microbial Resource Research Infrastructure  – European Research Infrastructure Consortium (MIRRI-ERIC) is proud to contribute to this initiative through its key partners BCCM (Belgian Coordinated Collections of Microorganisms) and INRAE (French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment), both of which are integral to advancing microbial research for the agro-food industry.

Read more here

MIRRI-ERIC IS HIRING A CHIEF OF OPERATIONS OFFICER

Braga (Portugal), 27th of September 2024 – MIRRI-ERIC IS HIRING A CHIEF OF OPERATIONS OFFICER  

The Microbial Resource Research Infrastructure – European Research Infrastructure Consortium (MIRRI-ERIC) is seeking a dynamic and experienced CHIEF OF OPERATIONS OFFICER (COO) to oversee the day-to-day operations of our pan-European research infrastructure. The COO will work closely with the Executive Director and other senior executives to implement strategic initiatives, manage resources, and optimize processes to drive operational efficiency and support the growth of the organization.

MIRRI-ERIC (Microbial Resource Research Infrastructure – European Research Infrastructure Consortium) is a pan-European distributed research infrastructure dedicated to the preservation, investigation, and valorization of microbial resources and biodiversity. By fostering collaboration among researchers, institutions, and stakeholders, MIRRI-ERIC aims to unlock the immense potential of microorganisms to address pressing global challenges, including health, agriculture, and environmental sustainability.

We are a young, enthusiastic and dynamic team working with the largest collections of microbial resources in Europe, providing invaluable support to researchers in their quest to harness the power of microbes. Through innovative initiatives and groundbreaking discoveries, MIRRI-ERIC is committed to enhancing public health, improving food security, and promoting responsible environmental practices, paving the way for a healthier and more sustainable future for all.

We invite you to join us on this remarkable journey. Together, we can harness the vast potential of microbial resources and work towards a healthier, more sustainable future for everyone.

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