ACTRIS PPP had a positive impact on the service provision for generating and disseminating knowledge, on boosting science and technological development, creating human capital, jobs and welfare for the benefit of society, and addressing environmental and societal challenges following the European Research Area (ERA) principles of optimal transnational cooperation and competition.
The preliminary results for the 2017-2019 period show that the ACTRIS continues to contribute to the development of human capital. During PPP over 400 Master and PhD students performed part of their research in ACTRIS, and more than 800 graduates received training at ACTRIS facilities. It is worth mentioning that one in four trainees and researchers/technicians working on ACTRIS infrastructures are expected to come from abroad, strengthening the European Research Area in terms of integration.
The development and operation of a research infrastructure has a significant impact on the creation, further development, and diffusion of scientific knowledge. During ACTRIS PPP, a total of 1052 and 679 articles were published in scientific journals with peer-review and in proceedings of international conferences, respectively. A 152 Ph.D. dissertations were completed. 53 workshops and 17 conferences were organised. In addition, ACTRIS resulted in the development of approximately 30 new methodologies, prototypes or designs during ACTRIS PPP. Organizations involved in the development and operation of the infrastructure are among the main beneficiaries, however, research infrastructures are also gradually becoming a point of attraction for scientists and scientific groups from abroad or other organizations at national level, who are interested in carrying out part of their scientific research in the infrastructure in question. This enhances scientific co-operation, facilitates the diffusion of knowledge and the scientific dialogue, while organizations operating the infrastructure gain reputation and recognition. All these result in attracting additional funding for research and development, which is very critical for the sustainability and enhancement of research groups in a competitive environment.
ACTRIS research infrastructure has attracted considerable funding for research and development, approaching € 87 million in 2017-2019. Focusing on research infrastructure partnerships with industry and more generally the private sector, it has been shown that the funding received is expected to be approximately € 12 million during the ACTRIS PPP period. During ACTRIS PPP, around 90 contracts were signed by organizations involved in ACTRIS with private companies to develop and upgrade the research infrastructure, widening the number of businesses involved in these activities during ACTRIS PPP.
