ERIC Forum Meeting in Brussels Addresses Progress Made and Activities for the Future

The ERIC Forum met for its annual meeting from 5-6 February 2020 in Brussels. Representatives from all ERICs (European Research Infrastructure Consortia), including ECRIN, attended. Participants presented the activities carried out in 2019 to consolidate the Forum, and planned activities for 2020.  

On the 5th, a working dinner was held with members of the ERIC Forum and ERIC Committee, as well as representatives of the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) and the European Commission. The presentations and discussions during the dinner focussed on the diversity of funding mechanisms for ERIC-supported projects. This dinner was organised within the framework of the ERIC Forum project WP6, which focusses on the role of ERICs in the European Science Policy and Research Strategy and is co-led by ECRIN and Lifewatch. 

About the ERIC Forum

The ERIC Forum Implementation Project is a Horizon 2020 project (grant agreement number 823798) which brings together 20 established ERICs and 3 ERICs in preparation. The goal is to strengthen coordination between these organisations; support the organisation of meetings focussed on themes relevant to ERICs (e.g. reporting, VAT exemption practices, insurance, governance); to support ERICs in the preparation phase; and to support common communication and outreach activities.

Related Information: Definition of Terms

The European Commission (EC) defines a ‘European Research Infrastructure Consortium’ as a specific legal form that facilitates the establishment and operation of ‘research infrastructures’ with European interest. ECRIN was awarded ERIC status in 2013. 

The EC defines research infrastructures (RIs) as 'facilities that provide resources and services for research communities to conduct research and foster innovation'.