The ERIC Forum has published a new position paper, ERICs at the Heart of Europe’s Research and Innovation System and FP10, setting out its vision for the role that European Research Infrastructure Consortia (ERICs) should play in the EU’s next Framework Programme. The paper lands at a decisive moment, as the European Parliament and Council prepare their positions on FP10 ahead of the trilogue negotiations among Parliament, Council and European Commission.
As long-term strategic assets of the European Research Area, ERICs pool national investments, facilities, expertise and data enabling discovery and innovation across all scientific fields. In doing so, they contribute to both EU’s policy priorities and to addressing some of the most pressing societal challenges.
Against this backdrop, the paper sets out three clear messages for FP10. The next Framework Programme should: (i) leverage Europe’s existing ERICs, by making fuller use of the infrastructure ecosystem already in place, avoiding fragmentation by diluting investments in new infrastructures with overlapping mandates and fostering better coordination and synergies with Technology Infrastructures and European Digital Infrastructure Consortia; (ii) broaden transnational access- whether physical, virtual or remote- to ERIC services by integrating them across the EU research and innovation programmes; (iii) support the long-term sustainability of the ERICs, complementing Member State investments and providing for both operations and continued development of ERICs, enabling them to operate sustainably over time.
The paper is the result of broad engagement across the ERIC community. Following discussions at the ERIC Forum Annual Meeting in November 2025, a dedicated FP10 Task Force – including senior members from across the community, as well as the ERIC Forum Chair – analysed the Commission’s proposals for the FP10 Regulation and Specific Programme, prepared amendments to the legal texts. In addition, building on the activities carried out under Work Package 6 of the ERIC Forum 2 project, the position paper was developed through several consultation rounds including the ERIC Forum Executive Board and ERICs Directors. The resulting recommendations were shared directly with key Members of the European Parliament, including Rapporteurs and Shadow Rapporteurs. In addition, two meetings between the ERIC Forum Chair and Members of the European Parliament offered further opportunities to discuss the needs of ERICs ahead of the next phase of the negotiations.
With the position paper now published, the ERIC Forum aims to keep research infrastructures firmly on the European agenda and to provide a strong and united voice as FP10 takes shape.
You can download and read the full text by clicking on the following link: ERICs at the Heart of Europe’s Research and Innovation System and FP10
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