ESFRI Workshop on the Future of Research Infrastructures in the European Research Area

Session 2. Consolidation of the Research Infrastructure landscape – how to make the most impact

Chair: Gelsomina Pappalardo

The landscape of Research Infrastructures is more and more mature, developed and interconnected, equipping European scientists with state-of-the-art facilities to conduct world-class research and foster innovation. This session will discuss how to foster a more integrated, ecosystem approach in order to enable the RIs to help effectively address the common challenges that Europe is facing and which increasingly require a multidimensional approach. 

• Introduction – 4’

Gelsomina Pappalardo, ESFRI Executive Board Member (download the presentation)

• Landscape of the European Research Infrastructures– 7’

Jose Luis Martinez, Chair of ESFRI Strategy Working Group on Physical Sciences and Engineering (download the presentation)

• Joint activities across RIs: opportunities and challenges – 7’

Rory Fitzgerald, Director, European Social Survey ERIC

• Consolidation initiatives among European RIs - 7'

Fransesco Florindi, Strategy & Partnership Manager, BBMRI ERIC (download the presentation)

• Round table discussions – 45’

1. ESFRI role as incubator across the RI lifecycle – how can it be improved?    
2. How to foster interconnections among the RIs, within a single scientific domain and across different scientific domains, for supporting interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research for new research frontiers?    
3. What relationship should ESFRI have with sectorial initiatives, international networks, other RIs not included in the ESFRI Roadmap as well as with national and regional RIs? 

Feedback from the tables – 20’

Table Rapporteurs 

Wrap-up panel: Key messages – 10’

Session Chair and Speakers

Session 3. Fostering effective open access to Research Infrastructures 

Chair: Yannis Ioannidis

One of the key elements in fostering scientific excellence in Europe is ensuring that researchers, wherever they are, have the possibility to access facilities, resources and services of the first class European Research Infrastructures, suitable to their needs. This session will discuss the current access practices, funding models, challenges and bottlenecks across the different scientific domains and explore effective ways to make further progress in this area. The reflection on the European Charter for Access to Research Infrastructures and possible improvements to this document will be part of the discussion. 

• Introduction – 4’

Yannis Ioannidis, ESFRI Vice-Chair (download the presentation)

• Access to Research Infrastructures : Finances – 7’

Jose Luis Martinez, Chair of ESFRI Strategy Working Group on Physical Sciences and Engineering (download the presentation)

• Access to Research Infrastructures : Services – 7’

Martin Van Breukelen, Executive Manager, European Magnetic Field Laboratory (download the presentation)

• Access to Research Infrastructures : Operations – 7’ 

Christine Kubiak, Operations Director, ECRIN ERIC 

• Round table discussions – 45’     

1. What are the current (transnational) access models/policies used for members of ESFRI RIs? What are their key weaknesses with respect to ensuring effective access? Are there any differences across RIs in different scientific domains?    
2. Are there any specific transnational member access models/policies for distributed ESFRI RIs or any specific challenges they face in offering such access?    
3. What are the main funding models used for ESFRI RI member access and what are their key weaknesses? Are there any differences across RIs in different scientific domains?    
4. Are there any specific funding models for member access to distributed ESFRI RIs and what are their key weaknesses?    
5. What are the current (transnational) access models/policies and corresponding funding models used for non-members of ESFRI RIs, in general, and of distributed RIs, in particular? What are their key weaknesses with respect to ensuring effective access? Are there any differences across RIs in different scientific domains?    
6. Each ESFRI RI has a different country geometry, inevitably, scientists from several countries do not have member access privileges. Should a pan-European RI access “market” be developed (in the context of a renewed ERA), with access policies and funding models complementary to those of individual ESFRI RIs? 

• Feedback from the tables – 20’

Table Rapporteurs 

• Wrap-up panel: Key messages – 10’

Session Chair and Speakers

Session 4. ESFRI framework for monitoring of Research Infrastructure performance

Chair: Peter Wenzel-Constabel

ESFRI Working Group has been established to propose a methodology to monitor the performance of RIs based on KPIs, taking into account the diversity of RIs and the aim that they will be adopted widely and effectively. This session will present the methodology for a final discussion and will explore the ways to foster its uptake by RIs, funding authorities and stakeholders. 

• Introduction – 5’

Peter Wenzel-Constabel, ESFRI Executive Board Member (download the presentation)

• ESFRI RI monitoring framework – 10’

Jana Kolar, Member of ESFRI WG on Monitoring (download the presentation)

• RI perspective on performance monitoring – 15’

Werner Kutsch, Director General, ICOS ERIC  (download the presentation)

Ute Gunsenheimer, Head of External Relations and EU Projects, European Spallation Source ERIC (download the presentation)

• Round table discussions – 45’

1. What roles do you see for the ESFRI RIs, national funders and ESFRI (Strategic Working Groups, EB, Forum) in the dialogue process on the definition of specific objectives and indicators and in the further process of implementation and "monitoring the monitoring system"?
2. What do you regard as the main obstacles in implementing such an approach, are there major obstacles for the acceptance of such an approach by the RIs?
3. Are there any recommendations missing that would increase usefulness and acceptance of such an approach; taking into account the diversity of RIs?

• Feedback from the tables – 20’

Table Rapporteurs

• Wrap-up panel: Key messages – 10’

Session Chair and Speakers

Session 5. National RI Roadmaps and funding models – improving synergies with European priorities and programmes

Chair: Agnieszka Zalewska

Greater synergies between national RI Roadmaps and funding decisions with the European priorities and funding programmes are needed to foster a more effective implementation of the RIs across their lifecycle and improve their long-term sustainability. This session will take a look at InRoad recommendations and debate the different funding practices for RIs identified on national roadmaps and will explore how to improve their synergies with the European programmes foreseen under the new MFF.

• Introduction – 5’

Agnieszka Zalewska, ESFRI Executive Board Member (download the presentation)

• National RI Roadmaps and funding models: InRoad recommendations – 10’

Gerd Ruecker, Senior Scientific Officer, DLR-PT (download the presentation)

• National RI Roadmaps and funding models: practical experiences – 10’

Jeannette Ridder, Chair of ESFRI Implementation Group (download the presentation)

• Round table discussions – 45’

1. Which practices in your national road-mapping and funding procedures would you recommend to other countries for improving synergies with European priorities and programmes? Are there examples when your national procedures have been adapted to better align with the ESFRI roadmap process?
2. What lessons did you learn for areas that didn't work so well in your national road-mapping and funding procedures for building synergies with European priorities and programmes and/or to align with the ESFRI roadmap process?
3. What improvements in the national road-mapping and funding procedures would be most welcome from the RIs point of view to improve their functioning and long-term sustainability?
4. What improvements in the ESFRI road-mapping procedures would be most welcome from the decision makers' and RIs’ points of view?

• Feedback from the tables – 20’

Table Rapporteurs

• Wrap-up panel: Key messages – 10’

Session Chair and Speakers