An integrated European ecosystem for research and technology infrastructures

CESAER welcomes the European Commission’s initiative to develop a comprehensive strategy for research and technology infrastructures (RTIs). In a position released today, we advocate for a connected, user-driven, and purpose-oriented European RTI ecosystem to drive excellence, competitiveness, and societal impact.

• The position is available here for download and dissemination [PDF]

This position highlights that, amid growing global competition in advanced science and technology, Europe must strengthen and integrate its research and technology infrastructures. Robust RTIs are crucial to securing Europe’s competitiveness, digital sovereignty, and sustainable growth on the global stage.

To achieve this, we recommend:

1. unifying infrastructures through a purpose- and outcome-driven approach;
2. leveraging universities of science and technology as ecosystem anchors;
3. ensuring robust digital infrastructures and data quality assurance;
4. supporting talent and skills as boosters of RTI excellence and sustainability;
5. providing legal clarity and alignment with state aid rules, while ensuring sustainable funding models.

These areas form the foundation for building an integrated European ecosystem that drives scientific excellence, technological leadership, and societal impact across key strategic sectors for the continent’s future.

"Research and technology infrastructures help turn ideas into impact, underpinning Europe’s global leadership. By empowering universities as ecosystem anchors, we can build an integrated, purpose- and outcome-driven RTI landscape that fosters frontier research, scales deep-tech innovation, and addresses Europe’s greatest challenges. Together, these efforts turn research potential into real-world impact and help position Europe as a global leader in innovation and societal progress."

— Jennifer Herek, Vice-President of CESAER, Co-Chair CESAER Task Force Openness of Science and Technology and Dean at University of Twente.

“RTIs impact on Europe’s competitiveness and lasting scientific, societal, and economic prosperity is intimately dependent on the training, mobility, and careers of professionals who design, host, manage, use, evaluate, govern, and partner in RTIs. Therefore, increased investment in talent and their training will be a necessary key component for ensuring world-class research and technology infrastructures in Europe and impacting European competitiveness"

— Lars Börjesson, CESAER representative in the Commission expert group on technology infrastructures and Professor of Physics at Chalmers University of Technology.

"Ensuring high-quality data through strong ingestion pipelines and applying FAIR principles is vital for advancing Europe’s RTIs. Widespread adoption of these standards will improve data integrity, accessibility, and sovereignty, enabling trustworthy cross-border collaboration."
— Vincent Klein Ikkink, Advisor for Research at CESAER.

For more information, contact our Information & Communication Officer Justine Moynat.