2026 Thematic research infrastructures: 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 principle of responsible evaluation (PDF) 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.

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Name of RI and its acronym: Click and write here

Applicant organisation(s): Click and write here

Name(s) of research infrastructure director(s): 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?

R&D activities enabled by research infrastructure

What kinds of R&D activities the research infrastructure facilitates. 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 the wide and versatile impact of the research infrastructure and how the infrastructure and the development project meet the objectives set for this call: 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 R&D goal does the research infrastructure support and in which strategy is the goal described?

How the research infrastructure supports regional specialisation and increases vitality, expertise and innovation potential of the region. For example:

Does the research infrastructure support business renewal 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 regional R&D actors (e.g. companies, universities, universities of applied sciences, research institutes, wellbeing services counties)?

How does the planned intersectoral collaboration in the development project

increase the impact of the development project?

strengthen the utilisation of the services and expertise of the research infrastructure?

increase the collaborators’ R&D competencies?

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, etc.? Explain why the project is necessary for the development of the research infrastructure.

Describe what actions the development project requires and who is responsible for them. Describe the timetable for the implementation of the project and the 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.

Roles of intersectoral collaborators

Describe the concrete contribution of the collaborators for the development project.

Risk management

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

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Operational activities

In this section, describe the operational activities of the research infrastructure. Please 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

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 and the plans for skill development?

Briefly describe 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. Who are the main users or user groups?

How is the use of the research infrastructure monitored?

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

What services the research infrastructure provides now and in the future

How the research infrastructure develops user-driven services

How is open access to the research infrastructure promoted? How will the shared use of the infrastructure with non-research actors be promoted to new user groups? For example, how and to what extent will the private sector, including businesses, use the research infrastructure?

Are the services of the research infrastructure accessible by physical access, remote access or data access, or by combinations of these? Provide a source 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? (NB. 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?

Digital transition

In its activities, how does the research infrastructure consider the needs for change created by the increase in 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 ap-plications will not be processed if any one of the following three 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 are 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 are 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...