Follow-up survey of European research infrastructures underway

A survey of European research infrastructures is set to consider the uniqueness of these structures in various disciplines, their openness of access and their financial importance.

The Commission, together with the European Science Foundation (ESF) and the European Heads of Research Councils (EuroHORCs), has launched a follow-up survey of European research infrastructures. This survey is set to update the one conducted by the Commission in early 2005 and will contribute to the work of the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) on the drafting of the ‘European roadmap’ for research infrastructures. 

One of this survey’s aims is to help estimate the financial implications of the research infrastructures, the uniqueness of these structures and their openness of access in the European Research Area (ERA). Developing research infrastructures of European interest is one of the six priorities of the FP7. European-scale infrastructures will enable the scientific community to attract talent, build a trans-national network of researchers and maximise resources.

This survey addresses existing infrastructures, those currently under restructuring and the ones forecast for operation in 2006. The deadline for taking part in the survey is 31 March 2006. A final report is expected to be ready by autumn 2006.

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