RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE EXPLOITATION OF RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURES IN HORIZON EUROPE

The document intends to provide recommendations for exploiting Research Infrastructures in Horizon Europe (HE), suggesting measures for the various aspects of the new Research Programme. The present document, edited in the frame of the related APRE members Working Group, intends to provide recommendations for exploiting Research Infrastructures in Horizon Europe (HE). The first section of the document is devoted to the UE Framework Programmes: on one side, Horizon Europe, and the opportunities it can offer to the Research Infrastructures. On the other, the analysis of the participation rate of the Research Infrastructures (taking the already established ERICs as a sample) in all Pillars of Horizon2020 Programme can represent a reliable benchmarking element. The key idea is to identify key areas of intervention to propose specific measures for promoting the participation of the Research Infrastructures in all areas of the new Horizon Europe Programme. Research Infrastructures have played a key role in Horizon 2020 for the consolidation of the European Research Area; this could continue promoting policy actions able to leverage their potential and impact. In particular, the document addresses the relevance that Research Infrastructures have in implementing the Open Science and International Cooperation policies. On a more operational level, the active promotion of Research Infrastructures in HE can be implemented through specific provisions in the Rules for Participation concerning both legal and financial aspects. Actions for facilitating indirect participation are also explored. The document sets different suggested measures for the various aspects of the new Research Programme. Such recommendations will be disseminated to different targets such as the National Contact Points for HE, National Delegates for HE, the EC and (Directorates and Units) ESFRI, Experts groups, etc..