In the framework of WP 1, a complete review on Synergies on European RI funding Sources was performed. The societal return assessment exercise was concluded with a final protocol. CERIC invested significant efforts into the refinement of its monitoring approach, aligned with the ESFRI Monitoring working group, to which it actively contributed.
The partnership has been following very closely the developments at European level regarding the funding sources and has been decided to update the review on funding sources to include the Horizon Europe framework programme and the Regulations relating to the structural funds. As a part of its science and research infrastructure roadmap two priorities of CERIC were proposed, life science and energy materials. A pilot on how the battery community can better be addressed was launched.
Policies for efficient international operations have been developed, also in cooperation with other ERICs sharing the same issues, and working groups on international mobility, VAT/excise duty exemption and in-kind contributions have been organized. As a result of these activities, ERICs community and stakeholders are evolving towards a shared approach.
WP 2, WP 4 and WP 5 reinforced the sustainability of CERIC by contributing to its scientific excellence. The open access pilots developed in WP2 were tested, reinforcing the actions in synergy with the targeted outreach of WP4. The procedures of research infrastructures related to open access of were reviewed for the harmonisation and improvement of ACCELERATE partners’ procedures.
WP3 helped to ensure the sustainability of CERIC by unlocking its innovation potential, nominating an innovation advisory board that supported the revision of CERIC’s commercial access policies and procedures. Several Research–to-Business events on regional and European levels were organized to raise awareness about the possibilities of CERIC and other RIs for industrial innovation. The Intellectual Property (IP) policy for commercial access was finalized as well as the development of a CERIC ecosystem in support of technology transfer.
Through WP4, scientific communities along the eastern EU borderline are being reached and introduced through various activities. This ranges from the outpost in Ukraine through the ACCELERATE partner UZHNU, the outreach events organized in target countries, the satellite sessions held in the frame of European-level Winter-schools, and the targeted collaborations with various universities and institutions in the region. A gap analysis set the starting point for the enlargement strategy.
Based on all the outputs of the WPs, the Sustainability plan of CERIC will be prepared.
