09 Oct 2024
ESFRI announces start of Roadmap 2026 process
On 8 October 2024, ESFRI announced the beginning of the process that will lead to an updated version of its Roadmap, to be completed in 2026. The updated version of the ESFRI Roadmap aims to continue along the same path and jointly build a robust and sustainable European research infrastructure ecosystem, strengthen the competitiveness of the European Union, promote excellence and advance the European Research Area.
In the first phase of the update process, ESFRI will welcome the submission of proposals for the inclusion of new RI projects or major upgrades of existing RIs into the Roadmap. ESFRI chair Jose Luis Pena Martinez emphasised that ESFRI research infrastructure proposals should be aware that they are not short-term projects but initiatives with a horizon of 30 years. Implementation must be possible within 10 years.
A new criterion will be introduced: a financial contribution for the preparation and implementation phase must be provided by at least two countries, in addition to political support from at least three countries. Another novelty of this round is the introduction of environmental considerations as an additional key requirement.
Information about the requirements and the selection procedure can be found on the ESFRI website.