ESFRI adds eight new projects to 2016 roadmap
Eight new research infrastructure projects have been announced as part of the 2016 Roadmap for the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI), launched yesterday at the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences.
ESFRI identifies research facilities of pan-European importance that are necessary to strengthen scientific excellence and competitiveness in the EU. The updated roadmap now consists of 21 ‘ESFRI projects’ (research infrastructures in development phase) of such magnitude that they cannot be realised at national level and the 29 ‘ESFRI landmarks’ (projects which are being implemented or have been completed).
“To remain at the forefront of scientific discovery, Europe needs to ensure that its scientists and innovators have access to the very best research infrastructures. This requires a strategy and funding. The 21 projects identified by ESFRI are a major contribution in this context,” said DG Research director general Robert-Jan Smits.
The eight new facilities are expected to help push the boundaries of science in important areas such as the environment (ACTRIS and DANUBIUS-RI); health and food (EMPHASIS); physical sciences (EST, KM3Net 2.0, HL-LHC and ESRF Upgrades); and social and cultural innovation (E-RIHS).
The ESFRI roadmaps reflect the long-term needs of the European research community. The 2016 roadmap highlights the strong socioeconomic impact of research infrastructures as well as their potential to generate innovation through collaboration with industrial partners.
