Thematic research infrastructures 2025: Local research infrastructures to strengthen regional R&D activities

Guidelines and template for action plan

The action plan is submitted as a PDF appendix on the tab ‘Action plan’ in the online services. Remember to convert the Word file into PDF format (Save as -> .pdf) before attaching it in the application form. Name the attachment file as follows: action_plan_yoursurname.pdf.

Read the call text carefully and familiarise yourself with the review guidelines, review form and principles of responsible evaluation (PDF) before you start writing the plan.

The maximum length of the action plan is 18 pages.

The paper size is A4.

The font is Calibri/Carlito 12 pt.

The line spacing is 1.

The margins are 20 mm.

The text is left-aligned.

Do not use paragraph indents.

The font size in tables and figures must be at least 10 pt.

Use a single-column layout when writing the text.

The list of references is included in the length of the action plan. The font size in the list is 10 pt.

All references must be added directly into the text, for example as follows: (author(s), year) or [number]. You must not use footnotes.

The maximum size of the PDF appendix is 50 MB.

The instructions, structure and layout provided must be followed to ensure the equal treatment of applicants. Use the headings provided. The application cannot be submitted if the system detects a deviation in the headings, page configuration or structure.

Write the action plan on this template.

Fill in the sections according to the practices of your own discipline.

You cannot edit or delete the headings in the template. If necessary, you may add subheadings.

See the How-to guides for the online services on our website for the technical instructions.

Please delete the instructions in blue before attaching the action plan in the online services.

Name of research infrastructure: Click and write here

Applicant organisation(s): Click and write here

Name(s) of person(s) in charge: Click and write here

Background and significance

In this section, present the research infrastructure and describe its significance in terms of enabling high-quality and ambitious R&D activities. Describe the following aspects:

Presentation of the research infrastructure

For example, explain why it is being/has been established and where it is located.
What is the primary intended use of the research infrastructure?

Research and development activities enabled by the research infrastructure

What kind of research and development activities does the research infrastructure facilitate? You may, for example, give examples of projects the research infrastructure has enabled (for existing infrastructures) and potential future research and/or development projects the research infrastructure will facilitate.

What different kinds of outputs (e.g. publications/inventions/patents/new products or services/more efficient processes) have been and will be produced by R&D activities facilitated by the infrastructure?

For existing research infrastructures: List the ten most important outputs produced with the research infrastructure, with justifications.

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Impact

In this very important section, describe how the infrastructure and the development project meet the objectives set for this funding: The funding should generate added value for the region in terms of innovation potential and/or other societal impact and support partnerships and cooperation between R&D actors. Describe the following aspects:

What regional strategic goal related to R&D does the research infrastructure support and in which strategy is the goal described?

How does the research infrastructure support regional specialisation and increase vitality, expertise and innovation potential of the region. For example:

Does the research infrastructure support business regeneration and growth? Describe how.

Does the research infrastructure promote the creation of regionally relevant, solution-focused knowledge for the needs of society? Describe how.

Enabling and strengthening cooperation between R&D actors

How does the research infrastructure support the increase and diversification of cooperation between R&D actors (e.g. companies, universities, universities of applied science, research institutes, wellbeing services counties)?

Describe the roles of the collaborators listed in the application form. What is their concrete contribution to the operation of the research infrastructure? How do they contribute to the objectives of the call? Especially if the collaborators are companies, describe their contribution in detail with examples.

Read more about the broader impact of research.

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Implementation

In this section, give an outline of the research infrastructure’s development project and a convincing description of its feasibility. Describe the following aspects:

Research infrastructure development project

Describe the project in concrete terms. Why is the project needed to develop the research infrastructure? What actions does it require and by whom (incl. collaborations)? Describe the timetable for the implementation of the project and the steps involved.

In case funding is applied for to cover salaries, explain how the job description of the person(s) to be hired relates to the activities of developing the research infrastructure.

Risk management

What are the critical points for the success of the development project, and what are the alternative implementation strategies? Provide a brief description of the risks, the probability of risks, and a risk management plan.

Also, more generally, describe the risks for the operation of the research infrastructure and a risk management plan.

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Operational activities

In this section, describe the operational activities of the research infrastructure. Note that funded research infrastructures must, for example, have operating principles that enable their services to be widely utilised by user groups of the RDI system. Describe the following aspects:

Ownership of research infrastructure and expertise of management

Which organisation(s) own(s) the research infrastructure? How is the ownership reflected in the infrastructure’s activities? Does the research infrastructure have a legal personality? In the case of a consortium, are there any agreements between the hosts, for example on division of labour or ownership? How have the roles been or how will they be agreed, and the commitment ensured between organisations?

What are the skills and know-how of the infrastructure’s staff in terms of the infrastructure’s activities?

Users

Define the users of the research infrastructure (e.g. person, research team, organisation, other entity) and how their number will be monitored. Who are the main users or user groups?

What is the research infrastructure’s current and planned number of users per year on average and the utilisation rate (% of time available)?

Will efforts be made to expand the use and user base of the infrastructure so that it serves more user groups of the RDI system? If so, how and to which new user groups? For example, how and to what extent will the private sector, including businesses, use the research infrastructure.

How will the shared use of the infrastructure with non-research actors be promoted?

Services provided by research infrastructure

What services the research infrastructure provides now and in the future

Are the services of the research infrastructure accessible by physical access, remote access or data access, or by combinations of these?

Where information on access to the research infrastructure can be found (or will be found, in case of a new infrastructure)

How are the access rights managed? Are fees charged for using the infrastructure? (Please note that open access does not mean that the use is free of charge.) Is access restricted in some way, for example to only research use, internal use or other uses? Are there any conditions for the use, such as passing a selection process, evaluation of a research plan or other conditions?

How is open access to the research infrastructure promoted?

Responsible R&D activities: research ethics, equality and nondiscrimination

How are the principles of good scientific practice and good governance considered in the infrastructure activities?

How will the research infrastructure take into account and implement equality and nondiscrimination in its activities?

Read more about responsible science.

Dual transition (digital and green transition)

In its activities, how does the research infrastructure take account of the needs for change created by the growth of digitalisation and data intensity?

What concrete actions does the research infrastructure have to reach the carbon neutrality target? Has the research infrastructure assessed or planned to assess its own carbon footprint? If it has, how was it done and what were the results?

Briefly describe how, in addition to the green transition, the research infrastructure can contribute to one or more of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, either through its activities or through its services. How does it monitor the achievement of the objectives? Read more: Sustainable development principles

The long-term budget of the research infrastructure is presented in a separate appendix.

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References

The list of references is included in the length of the action plan. The font size in the list is 10 pt. All references must be added directly into the text, for example as follows: (author(s), year) or [number]. You must not use footnotes.

List the references here...