The European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) was set-up in 2002. The ESFRI’s delegates are nominated by research ministers of the EU Member and Associated Countries and include a Commission representative. The ESFRI has a key role in policy-making on research infrastructures in Europe. In particular the ESFRI contributes to the development of a strategic roadmap that identifies vital new European RIs for the next 10-20 years.
The ESFRI’s mandate is:
- to support a coherent and strategy-led approach to policy making on research infrastructures in Europe
- to facilitate multilateral initiatives leading to a better use and development of research infrastructures
- to establish a European Roadmap for research infrastructures (new and major upgrades, pan-European interest) for the next 10-20 years, stimulate the implementation of these facilities, and update the roadmap as needed
- to follow-up on implementation of ongoing ESFRI projects after a comprehensive assessment, as well as the prioritisation of infrastructure projects listed in the ESFRI Roadmap
The 2016 roadmap contains details of 21 ESFRI Projects — including six new projects, and 29 ESFRI landmarks. These landmarks are RIs that reached the implementation phase before the end of 2015.
