10 years of CERIC-ERIC: An overview of its impacts and a look into the future
The Central European Research Infrastructure Consortium, CERIC-ERIC, celebrated its 10th anniversary on 21 November in Brussels. The event provided a unique opportunity to discuss research infrastructure policies and recall the steps that led to the establishment of the Consortium, highlighting the impacts CERIC-ERIC has had – and continues to have – on the participating countries and the European Research Area (ERA).
(Credits: CERIC-ERIC)
The meeting, which took place from 9:00 to 13:00 at NH Grand Sablon, was opened by Ambassador Stefano Verrecchia (Deputy Permanent Representative of Italy to the EU) and other representatives and was divided into two panels. The discussion brought together representatives of the European Commission, EU Member States, leading European institutions, and research infrastructures.
The first panel, titled “Research Infrastructure Policies: Reflections and Future Directions,” focused on the achievements and impacts of research and technological infrastructures and European Research Infrastructure Consortia (ERICs), including CERIC-ERIC. The panel explored ways to further enhance their effectiveness, including policies at national and European levels. “The establishment of this Consortium was conceived by the governments of Central and Eastern European countries,” explained Carlo Rizzuto, Chair of the CERIC-ERIC General Assembly, “to reduce disparities between East and West in the research infrastructure field and ensure the competitive growth of excellent research in this part of Europe.”
(Credits: CERIC-ERIC)
The second panel, titled “Advances in Science at CERIC: Achievements and Future Potential,” showcased CERIC-ERIC’s scientific accomplishments and impacts over the past decade and discussed the challenges and opportunities that will shape its future. “Since its foundation, CERIC-ERIC has significantly increased the scientific productivity and quality in its member countries,” commented Jana Kolar, Executive Director of the Consortium, “enhanced research capacities, supported technological innovations, and fostered collaboration across the EU. By supporting excellent, diverse, and meaningful research, we are proud to contribute to scientific excellence and innovation across Europe.”
(Credits: CERIC-ERIC)
More information about the event can be found at https://www.ceric-eric.eu/events/10-years-of-ceric/.
CERIC-ERIC is a European research infrastructure consortium, established by the European Commission and the governments of eight countries in 2014. It offers researchers and industry access to more than 60 experimental analytical and synthesis techniques at advanced research facilities in eight Central and Eastern European countries and associated institutions. This supports multidisciplinary research at the micro- and nano-level in advanced materials, biomaterials, and nanotechnology.
At CERIC facilities, materials can be analyzed, and their structure investigated by combining techniques using electrons, ions, neutrons, and photons.
Access to CERIC’s services is provided through international calls for proposals, offering free access to multiple techniques and rewarding the best projects, provided their results are open and published. Commercial access for proprietary research and technology transfer support is also available.
The Czech Republic is involved in the CERIC-ERIC consortium through the large research infrastructure SPL-HTC. SPL-HTC (Surface Physics Laboratory – Hydrogen Technology Centre), hosted by Charles University, is a large research infrastructure dedicated to the study of surfaces and surface phenomena. Since 2023, its scope has expanded to include research and testing of materials for hydrogen technologies. It combines the Surface Physics Laboratory (SPL) in Prague with the Materials Science Beamline (MSB) in Trieste, Italy, and is complemented by the Hydrogen Technology Centre (HTC) in Prague. Through CERIC-ERIC, SPL-HTC provides access to researchers from all around the world.
SPL-HTC was rated as excellent in the international peer-review assessment of large research infrastructures in both 2017 and 2021 and is included in the Czech Republic’s Roadmap of Large Research Infrastructures for the period 2023–2026. Additionally, for 2023–2026, it will receive funding of approximately CZK 69 million from the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports.
CONTACTS:
CERIC Press Office: press@ceric-eric.eu
Marcello Turconi: marcello.turconi@ceric-eric.eu