Deadline Date: June 16, 2026
The European Commission in inviting grant applications to enhance the skills, knowledge, and professional development of staff managing research infrastructures across Europe to improve the impact and sustainability of these infrastructures.
Focus areas, objectives, and priorities include specialised training for research infrastructure staff to plan operations and engage with user communities and stakeholders, broader understanding of EU research infrastructure policies including transnational access and international cooperation, development of shared understanding of EU policies and funding instruments to strengthen scientific capacities, and accreditation of training programmes through ECTS points. The initiative also emphasizes the creation and delivery of professional education curricula, upskilling staff in digitalization, AI, industry engagement, governance models, research security, data management, and environmental and financial sustainability, with particular attention to widening and candidate countries and Ukrainian research infrastructures.
The total indicative funding for this initiative is around €2,000,000.00. The programme targets training of staff managing research infrastructures, including exchanges of personnel and best practices, engagement with universities, and development of dedicated scholarships. It addresses key training topics such as socioeconomic impact, scientific capabilities, engagement with academia and industry, State Aid rules, long-term sustainability, data stewardship, FAIR principles, data protection, governance models for international collaborations, and operational challenges linked to research security.
Training activities build on existing initiatives such as RItrainplus, RAMIRI, and RItrain, promoting continuity, professionalization, and sustainability. Proposals must demonstrate evolution from previous projects, ensure alignment with pan-European research infrastructures including ESFRI, ERICs, and EIROforum, and consider the rapidly evolving geopolitical context and increased digitalisation of research infrastructures. Sustainability and long-term impact are central, with engagement of national agencies, international organisations, and other stakeholders to ensure enduring benefits from the training.
Eligible participants include any legal entity, regardless of location, including those from non-associated third countries or international organisations, provided all conditions of the Horizon Europe Regulation and the specific call are met.
For more information, visit European Commission.
