95th ESFRI Forum meeting
The 95th ESFRI Forum Meeting will take place on 11-12 March 2026 online.
Day 1 - Wednesday 11 March 2026
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09:30
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Approval |
FI26-95-01 FI26-95-02 FI26-95-03 FI26-95-04 FI26-95-05 FI26-95-06 FI26-95-07 |
1. Opening by the ESFRI Chair
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09:45
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Info |
2. Report by the ESFRI Chair |
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09:55
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Info |
3. Update from Delegations
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10:10
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Approval | FI26-95-08 |
4. Infrastructure Ecosystem
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10:40
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Approval | FI26-95-09 |
5. Monitoring of Landmarks
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11:00
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Discussion | FI26-95-10/Annex |
6. Cooperation with e-IRG Presentation and discussion of the options paper prepared by e-IRG |
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11:15
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Break |
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11:25
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Discussion |
7. non-session (participation restricted to Delegations, EC, Secretariat, and ESFRI Chair’s assistant)
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12:30
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End of Meeting Day 1 |
Day 2 - Thursday 12 March 2026
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09:30
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Info |
8. Report from the European Commission |
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09:40
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Discussion |
9. non-session (participation restricted to Delegations, EC, Secretariat, and ESFRI Chair’s assistant)
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10:10
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Approval | FI26-95-11 |
10. Priority Actions for ESFRI Discussion and approval of the shortlist of priority actions prepared by the EB |
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10:25
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Approval |
11. Roadmap 2026
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10:45
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Discussion |
12. Reports from ESFRI Working Group Chairs Working Group Chairs are invited to take the floor (MC covered in separate item above) |
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11:15
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Approval | FI26-95-12 |
13. Launch of call for new SWG ENE Chair Approval of the call for a new SWG ENE Chair in view of the imminent withdrawal of the current Chair |
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11:25
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Break |
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11:35
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Discussion | FI26-95-13 |
14. Safeguarding the 6 GHz band for Research, Innovation, and Security
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11:50
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Discussion | FI26-95-14 |
15. ESFRI-EOSC Report from the ESFRI-EOSC task force (TF) activities including update on preparation of the ESFRI-EOSC policy workshop |
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12:05
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Approval | FI26-95-15 |
16. 4th ESFRI Stakeholder Forum Meetup
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12:25
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Info |
17. AOB and Close
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12:30
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End of the meeting |
95th ESFRI Forum Highlights: Key Steps for Europe’s Research Infrastructure Future
The European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) held its 95th virtual meeting on March 11–12, 2026, unveiling critical developments for Europe’s research and technology landscape.
Shaping the Infrastructure Ecosystem
ESFRI emphasized the need for a holistic approach to managing the rapidly evolving research infrastructure ecosystem. A new Drafting Group on Infrastructure Ecosystem will prepare a report exploring:
- organization and coordination of different types infrastructures
- an overarching structure of Governance: Coordination and coherence
- its relationship with the ERA governance
Driving the European Strategy on Research and Technology Infrastructures
Updates from Ms. Kirsi Haavisto (RTD E.2) and Mr. Michael Arentoft (RTD A.4) highlighted progress on actions 1, 2, 17, and 18 of the European Strategy on Research and Technology Infrastructures and how ESFRI can support the strategy.
ESFRI Sets Its Priorities
Building on its White Paper and the “Future of ESFRI” workshop, the Forum approved a focused document with priorities for the coming years:
- Focus on a strategic holistic view to facilitate advice at the highest level
- Ensure the consolidation of the infrastructure ecosystem
- Play a role in the governance and design of the infrastructure ecosystem.
- Optimize and maximize the impact of ESFRI´s activities and methodologies
Roadmap 2026 in Motion
The 2026 Roadmap is on track. Next in the pipeline is the monitoring of the 2016 proposals, that will be assessed for becoming Landmarks, and the evaluation of new proposals for the 2026 Roadmap.
A key section in the upcoming Roadmap 2026 will be the Strategy Report. The Forum discussed important topics that should be laid out in the strategy report to reflect on their impact in the Research Infrastructure landscape and its implications for ESFRI and the European Research Area.
Preparations for the 4th esfri Stakeholder Forum Meetup
The Forum was informed of ongoing efforts towards planning the 4th ESFRI Stakeholder Forum meetup, scheduled for September 2026, during Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Recent developments in Europe and its impact on RIs
National delegations discussed the importance of safeguarding the upper part of the 6 GHz frequency bands for radio astronomy and other strategic and essential public uses. The potential consequences of allocating the upper 6 GHz band to commercial mobile communications (TMT) could be extensive and with significant impact for the science program and the previous financial investments. ESFRI discussed providing input on the scientific impact to the public consultation.
The Forum also discussed the draft for a new General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER) and its potential impact to RIs. The Forum also discussed the possibility of providing input to the current public consultation.
Next Meetings
The ESFRI Forum will reconvene in Nikosia (CY) in June 2026 and Cork (EI) in September 2026.
