Questions and answers on the European Strategy on Research and Technology Infrastructures

What are research and technology infrastructures?

Research and technology infrastructures are the backbone of Europes research and innovation ecosystem, driving scientific excellence from fundamental research to breakthrough innovation.

Research Infrastructures (RIs) are large-scale facilities providing state-of-the-art equipment, laboratories, and digital resources for science, research and innovation. They include major equipment or sets of instruments, collections, archives and scientific data infrastructures, generally publicly owned and sustained.
Technology Infrastructures (TIs) are facilities for developing, testing, validating, and scaling up technologies. They include pilot lines, pilot plants and demonstration facilities, cleanrooms, test beds, and living labs that support market adoption and reduce the risk for companies.

How do they contribute to Europes scientific excellence, competitiveness and technological sovereignty?

Research and technology infrastructures enable breakthrough science and innovation, supporting areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), life sciences, earth observation, quantum technology, fusion energy, biotechnology, clean and renewable energy, and advanced materials - all of which are crucial for EU scientific, technological and industrial leadership. They enable scientific excellence in frontier, interdisciplinary and applied research, and facilitate breakthrough technological development.

They provide unique testing and validation environments for startups, scaleups, and industry, reducing risk for commercialisation and speeding up the market uptake of new technologies. In doing so, these infrastructures help close Europes innovation gap with global competitors, strengthening resilience, economic security, and strategic autonomy in critical technologies. Finally, research and technology infrastructures serve as hubs for talent attraction and mobility, reinforcing Europes role as a global science powerhouse.

Why do we need a strategy on research and technology infrastructures at European level?

The complexity and cost of building and maintaining research and technology infrastructures is increasing. At the same time, it is important to stay on top of the global race with competitors investing heavily in large-scale infrastructure. This is why a coordinated European approach is essential to pool resources, avoid duplication, and strengthen accessibility and collaboration across borders for such infrastructures. This strategic approach also consolidates Europes position as a global research and innovation leader, helping to attract top talent through the ‘Choose Europe initiative. It will also help safeguard EU strategic policy priorities and competitiveness, and advance Europes role as a trusted partner in international cooperation.

How will the strategy simplify and strengthen users access to research and technology infrastructures?

Research and technology infrastructures serve a wide range of users from diverse research communities to industrial users, including innovative small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), startups and scaleups. To make the most of the potential of these infrastructures, access to their capacities for all users must be made easier and improved.

Several actions in the strategy are focused on:

The creation of an integrated and sustainable European access scheme, including a “one-stop-shop” for access of scientists to state-of-the-art research infrastructures and a single portfolio of complementary research and innovation services.
Harmonising access conditions through a new Charter of Access for industrial users to research and technology infrastructures, reducing legal, regulatory, and financial barriers.
Encouraging the expansion of remote and virtual access and development of AI-assisted navigation of services to make infrastructures more user-friendly and interoperable across the EU.
Setting up pilot cross-border access schemes for technology infrastructures, as well as joint transnational access schemes for research and technology infrastructures in strategic areas.

How will the strategy encourage scientists and innovators to ‘Choose Europe for its world-class research and technology infrastructures?

At her closing speech at the ‘Choose Europe for Science event at La Sorbonne in May 2025, President von der Leyen mentioned world-class research infrastructure as one of the advantages setting Europe apart. Europes unique ecosystem of research and technology infrastructures is a compelling reason for scientists to Choose Europe.

Europes research and technology infrastructures already attract experts from more than 100 countries. The new strategy will strengthen research and technology infrastructures in Europe as global hubs for talent, encouraging scientists and innovators worldwide to Choose Europe.

It will:

Expand training opportunities, including managerial and entrepreneurial skills, so infrastructure staff can better support a wider range of users—especially SMEs, startups and scaleups.
Enhance continuous technical training and staff exchanges. This will help Europes infrastructures to remain resilient, up-to-date, and capable of supporting fast-moving technologies.
Link to initiatives such as the EU Skills Academies and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions to create stronger career pathways and boost Europes attractiveness to top talent worldwide.

How will the strategy strengthen the international dimension of research infrastructures as tools for science diplomacy?

European infrastructures already unite international expertise in areas like astronomy, particle physics, and environmental monitoring. Building on this, the strategy will:

Expand international collaboration, promoting European standards on access, data management, and open science worldwide while ensuring research security.
Facilitate exchanges of best practices, fostering trust and long-term partnerships with regions such as Latin America, Africa, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Support the integration of the European Research Area (ERA) beyond the EU, by helping candidate and associated countries, notably Ukraine, to develop their research and innovation capacities, for instance through facilitating access and encouraging cooperation with European infrastructures.