Research Infrastructures in FP7 Jean-Louis Picqué European Commission DG Research

1. Research Infrastructures in FP7 Jean-Louis Picqué European Commission DG Research

2. Research Infrastructure in FP7 : Two main lines of action Continuation and improvement of the “bottom-up” approach for optimizing the access to and the utilisation and performance of existing infrastructures Implementation of a «strategic» approach for developing new infrastructures of pan-European interest

3. The bottom-up approach Access to research infrastructures Integrating activities (networking, coordinated access, research activities) Communication Network Development (GEANT, Grids) Design Studies (to explore possibilities for new infrastructures)

4. The strategic approach The vision, roadmap and prioritisation - Vision and European roadmap - List of priority projects - Decision process The new operational mechanism (TEN-like) for the implementation of the projects

5. A clear vision A clear vision of the needs for new research infrastructures in the medium–long term should be defined as well as a corresponding roadmap. The European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) will play a major role in this context. http://www.cordis.lu/era/infrastructures_forum.htm

6. What is ESFRI ? Following Council recommendations and initiatives from the Commission, ESFRI was set-up in April 2004 with the following remit : - to support a coherent and strategy-led approach to policy-making on RI in Europe; - to facilitate multilateral initiatives for the better use and development of RI. Composed of representatives of the Member States and the Commission.

7. ESFRI activities 10 plenary meetings, workshops, Trieste Conference on RI (Nov. 2003) Annual reports for 2003 and 2004 Working groups and reports in different fields (neutron sources, marine sciences, free electron lasers, social sciences, computers and networks) Incubator role for « variable geometry » projects (projects X-FEL and FAIR in Germany) http://www.cordis.lu/era/infrastructures_forum.htm

8. European roadmap for RI ESFRI will develop a roadmap for RI for the next 10-20 years With a transparent methodology, recognized by all stakeholders Using clear criteria (European dimension, needs of the scientific community, technological feasibility, …) Under a continuous process, with annual updates

9. ESFRI working method 3 Steering Groups are being set up : - Physical Sciences and Engineering - Biological and Medical Sciences - Social Sciences and Humanities A fourth group was already existing : - eIRG, for eInfrastructures Information from national roadmaps, EC studies and contracts, formal groups of the scientific community, ESF, EIROforum,…) will be used Dedicated expert groups will be created when needed

10. List of priority projects Established by Commission on the basis of the roadmap prepared by ESFRI - «balanced», periodically updated - with justifications for each project Using clear criteria (pan-European interest, potential impact, European partnership, maturity of project, budgetary planning, quality of management, …)

11. Decision process First list of priority projects established byCommission Commission’s proposal to Council and Parliament Decision by Council Mobilisation of Member States, European Community and other stakeholders

12. The operational mechanism A two-stage process within FP7 : Preparatory phase - through a restricted call, targeted to the list of priority projects - for construction plans, legal organisation, management structure, … Implementation phase - following successful first phase - for concrete construction and operation

13. An active Commission’s role Acting as a facilitator for the overall project - leveraging and catalysing action, - financial engineering, - legal framework, … Coordinating the Community instruments (Framework Programme, Structural Funds, EIB) Ensuring a close monitoring of the project