The ERIC Forum has published a new position paper, ERICs at the Heart of Europe’s Research and Innovation System and FP10, setting out its vision for the role that European Research Infrastructure Consortia should play in the European Union’s next Framework Programme.

The paper comes at a decisive moment, as the European Parliament and Council prepare their positions on FP10 ahead of the trilogue negotiations with the European Commission. It argues that Europe should make fuller strategic use of the research infrastructure ecosystem it has already built through the ERIC framework.

ERICs are long-term strategic assets of the European Research Area. They pool national investments, facilities, expertise and data, enabling discovery across every scientific field and helping Europe respond to its most pressing societal challenges.

In the position paper, the ERIC Forum sets out three key priorities for FP10: 

• First, the next Framework Programme should make effective use of existing ERICs and avoid fragmenting the ecosystem through overlapping new infrastructures. 

• Second, it should widen access to ERIC services, including physical, remote and virtual access, so more researchers and innovators can benefit from Europe’s shared capabilities. 

• Third, it should provide stable and predictable support for the long-term sustainability and continued development of ERICs.

“FP10 is an opportunity to make better use of the world-class research infrastructures Europe has already built. ERICs connect people, data, facilities and expertise across borders. With the right support in FP10, they can continue to help Europe respond to pressing societal challenges, drive innovation, and remain globally competitive,” said Bonnie Wolff-Boenisch, Chair of the ERIC Forum.

The paper also calls for stronger dialogue between the ERIC Forum and EU institutions as FP10 takes shape. By bringing the perspectives of ERICs and their research communities into relevant policy discussions, Europe can strengthen alignment between political priorities and the operational realities of its research infrastructure ecosystem.