Introduction

Framework Programme 7 (FP7) is the main mechanism by which the European Commission funds research across Europe. FP7 is split up according to specific programme areas and Research Infrastructures (RI) is under the Capacities part of the programme.

The Capacities part of the programme does not fund actual research but instead aims to enhance research and innovation capacities throughout Europe, and to ensure their optimal use amongst other things.

What are Research Infrastructures?

RIs refer to large science facilities, resources and related services used by the scientific community to conduct top-level research in their respective fields ranging from social sciences to astronomy. RIs can include facilities like singular large-scale research installations, collections, databases, computing,  archives, research vessels, and aircraft to name a few. Such research infrastructures may be “single-sited” or “distributed” (a network of resources). An illustration of the kinds of RIs that are  currently being provided and used by Research Councils and their respective research communities may be gleaned from Research Council UK’s (RCUK’s) 2008 Roadmap publication (at http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/research/resinfra/lfroadmap.htm.)

Why are Research Infrastructures Important?

Society is facing more challenges than ever such as global warming; security, sustainable energy production and consumption. The development of scientific knowledge is needed to support new, more efficient and cleaner technologies; improve our quality of life and help tpo provide the conditions to support an ageing population.

The UK’s Research Councils have a number of research programmes that address these and many other scientific objectives (see http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/research/ccprog/default.htm).

RIs play an important role in the advancement of knowledge and technology.
To find solutions to the global challenges, the researchers need to work together and have access to advanced technical equipment. The RI Programme creates opportunities for researchers and scientists to collaborate across disciplines and countries, as well as create platforms where the scientific community and industry can come together.

RIs offer unique research services to users from different countries attract young people to science and help shape international scientific communities.

In view of the importance of RIs the UK’s National Audit Office conducted an assessment of the (now) Department of Innovation Universities and Skills’ public investment in ‘big science’. The NAO’s findings may be viewed at  http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0607/big_science_public_investment.aspx

DIUS has worked closely with Research Council’s to address the NAO recommendations and the result has been an improved process for the consultation, prioritisation and implementation of potential large facilirty projects. During this process full consideration is given to the ESFRI list of projects, some of which the UK could decide to participate in and even lead,  to ensure that UK researchers have access to world class facilities wherever they happen to be located – in the UK or overseas.

Research Infrastructures Programme

RI Programme key objectives:

• Existing RIs- to continuously improve, better integrate and structure them in the different Science and Technology areas and to make them more easily accessible to researchers;
• New RIs- to facilitate the collaboration between countries for the joint establishment and operation of new facilities;
• e-Infrastructures- to further develop and maximise the use of ICT technologies;
• Governance- to integrate current RI initiatives into a coherent EU strategy. RI is one of the main pillars of the European Research Area.