2026 Shared-use research infrastructures: National research infrastructures fostering innovation and ambitious R&D

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 before you start writing the plan.

The maximum length of the action plan is 20 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 and its acronym: Click and write here

in the same format as the name found in the drop-down menu or entered under ‘Other’ in the online services

Name of international research infrastructure: Click and write here

only if the research infrastructure is a national node in an international research infrastructure whose member Finland is

Applicant organisation (head organisation): Click and write here

Other participating research organisations in this application (consortium parties): Click and write here

Name of research infrastructure director: Click and write here

Name of deputy director (if relevant): Click and write here

Website of research infrastructure: Click and write here

Background and significance

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

Presentation of 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?

What is the significance of the research infrastructure nationally and internationally in terms of R&D?

What kinds of R&D activities does the research infrastructure 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?

List the ten most important outputs produced with the research infrastructure, with justifications.

Describe the international relations and connections of the research infrastructure.

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Impact

In this very important section, describe how the development project will meet the objectives set for this call, and what is the wide and versatile impact of the research infrastructure: The funding should increase the shared use of the research infrastructure, and it should have significance for national or international research, development and innovation (RDI) ecosystems. Describe the following aspects:

How does the research infrastructure increase its use with at least one new user group of RDI actors beyond academia, for example private-sector users?

Describe what new user group(s) will the research infrastructure serve by the end of the development project, and what new innovative service(s) it will provide.

Describe what impact can be achieved with the deployment of new services to new user groups. How is the collaboration with new users implemented?

Describe a plan for how to maintain the new service(s). Can the new service(s) be maintained sustainably?

Describe if services are also developed for the researchers.

What is the significance of the research infrastructure for the national or international RDI (research, development and innovation) ecosystems?

Which national or international RDI ecosystems is the research infrastructure part of and does it support? Describe the RDI collaboration, the role of the research infrastructure in this innovation ecosystem and how it benefits from the ecosystem. How does the innovation ecosystem benefit from the research infrastructure?

How is the utilisation of the services and expertise of the research infrastructure enhanced and strengthened with the help of the development project?

What is the wider impact of the research infrastructure in society beyond science?

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. What are the planned development activities, such as construction, upgrading, acquisitions, creating services, improving data management, improving access, testing etc.? Explain why the project is necessary for the development of the research infrastructure.

Describe what actions are required, and who is responsible for them, including collaborations.

Only lighthouse research infrastructures: Describe the tasks and roles for the industrial liaison officer or knowledge broker, and staff and data scientists, if funding is applied for them.

Describe the role of the industrial liaison officer or knowledge broker in strengthening the cooperation between RDI actors and contributing to achieving the objectives of the call.

Describe the role of staff or data scientists. Explain how their expertise and responsibilities contribute to the development and operation, and how their skills and career are planned to progress during and after the project. Describe their career development opportunities in the research infrastructure. Are there any qualifications that the person can achieve during the course of the project?

Describe the implementation schedule and the key steps involved.

If 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.

What is the plan for rolling out the new service(s) and increasing the shared use of the research infrastructure?

What concrete actions are done to strengthen the collaboration with the RDI ecosystems?

Risk management of development project

Identify the critical points for the success of the development project and describe the alternative implementation strategies. Provide a brief risk assessment, probability of risks, and a risk management plan.

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Operational activities

In this section, describe the organisation and lifecycle of the research infrastructure. Please note that funded infrastructures are expected to have clear operating principles that ensure their services are broadly accessible to various user groups within the RDI system. Describe the following aspects:

Ownership of research infrastructure

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, e.g. 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? How have the career paths of the research infrastructure staff been considered?

Briefly describe the risks for the operation of the research infrastructure and a risk management plan.

Please note that the long-term financial plan of the research infrastructure is presented in a separate appendix.

Users and services

Define the users of the research infrastructure (e.g. person, research team, organisation, other entity) and plans for the development of the user base.

How is the use of the research infrastructure monitored?

What is the current and planned average number of users per year? What is the utilisation rate (% of time available, i.e. percentage of time the infrastructure is in active use)?

How does the research infrastructure develop user-driven services? What services does the research infrastructure provide now and in the future. How will the shared use of the infrastructure with non-research actors be promoted?

How is open access to the research infrastructure being promoted? (NB. Plans for new user groups aligned with the call objectives and their services regarding the development project are described in section 2 and 3.)

Principles for the access policy of the research infrastructure. What kind/s of access is provided? Provide a source where information on access to the research infrastructure can be found.

How are the access rights managed? Are fees charged for using the infrastructure? (NB. Open access does not necessarily mean free of charge.) Are there any restrictions on access? Are there any conditions for the use, such as passing a selection process, evaluation of a research plan or other conditions?

Digital 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?

Please note that the data management policy is presented in a separate appendix.

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Responsible science

This subsection is a mandatory part of the plan. All listed points must be fully addressed, as each constitutes a factor in the review and decision-making process. Furthermore, please note that applications will not be processed if any one of the following four elements is missing:

a description of the dimensions related to gender equality and nondiscrimination in the research infrastructure’s activities, governance and collaborations, including the measures taken to promote equality and nondiscrimination

a description of how good scientific practice is followed in the research infrastructure’s activities

a description of how open access to research publications, outputs and research data is ensured.

Read more about responsible science.

Describe the dimensions related to gender equality and nondiscrimination in the research infrastructure’s activities, governance and collaborations, including the measures taken to promote equality and nondiscrimination.

Describe how the research infrastructure follows good scientific practice in its activities.

Describe how open access to research publications, data and outputs is ensured in the research infrastructure’s activities, and how the research infrastructure promotes open science. All data produced with the research infrastructure must be as open as possible and as closed as necessary.

Consideration of sustainable development goals

Explain what concrete actions the research infrastructure has 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

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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...