Overview of the results
EMPHASIS-PREP performed a landscaping analysis to assess the infrastructure and the user demand by engaging the national plant phenotyping communities from 24 countries, participants in regional conferences, thematic workshops, in ministry meeting, surveys and interviews and, published reports. Based on the analysis over 200 installations were identified. This represented the backbone for the development of a business plan for future operations of EMPHASIS. The business plan and the implementation of EMPHASIS has been discussed within the Interim General Assembly to move EMPHASIS towards operation.
EMPHASIS-PREP has initiated a pilot phase to test services to illustrate the potential to generate benefits and optimize processes involved, including the interaction with the EU projects EPPN2020 (2017-2021) providing access to phenotyping installations, EOSC-Life (2019-2023) creating an open, digital space for biological research. Further pilot services include: i) access to field facilities, ii) harnessing innovation, iii) best phenotyping practice, iv) data management, v) modelling, vi) training.
EMPHASIS-PREP established an interaction with other RIs and is involved in cluster projects such as CORBEL (2017-2020), RI-VIS (2019-2022), EOSC-Life (2019-2023). EMPHASIS has become a member of the RI cluster Life Science -RI with 15, and environmental cluster ENVRI with 26 RIs. EMPHASIS is utilizing synergies with other RIs such as i) ANAEE (agricultural production); ii) ELIXIR (data management,) iii) Metrofood (primary food production). The interaction will be further strengthened within the Horizon Europe calls HORIZON-INFRA-2021-SERV.
EMPHASIS-PREP supported the development of competencies, members of EMPHASIS-PREP were involved in training within the RITrain program. The EMPHASIS coordination team graduated in the Executive Master on Management of Research Infrastructures program with EMPHASIS receiving the award "Certificate of Excellence in Research Infrastructure Management".
Exploitation and dissemination of results
EMPHASIS is becoming a nucleus for the integration of the plant phenotyping community. EMPHASISI-PREP was pivotal for this development, particularly the business plant represents the basis for the operational phase, discussed with the ministry representatives within the Interim General Assembly. The results from EMPHASIS-PREP provide a thorough analysis of the phenotyping landscape, which will be used for the development of new infrastructures. EMPHASIS-PREP has supported: i) the development of national RIs (AT, CZ, FI, NO, NL) ii) the applications for the national infrastructure roadmaps (EE, PL), (iii) building national plant phenotyping RI communities in multiple countries. The deliverables from EMPHASIS-PREP represent guidelines and criteria for the development, quantification and upgrade infrastructure, data management and policy, user assessment, legal framework, which are open and relevant for other operational and emerging RIs.