Updated guidelines to support European Research Infrastructure Consortia

Today, the Commission has published the updated Practical Guidelines in support of European Research Infrastructure Consortia (ERIC). As the sole reference of this kind, the guidelines are designed to support applicants in submitting their applications to become ERICs. They will also provide existing ERICs with useful clarifications on the applicable legal framework. 

An ERIC is a legal entity under EU law that facilitates the establishment and operation of research infrastructures with European interest. The ERIC instrument has successfully filled the gap between traditional treaty-based international organisations and national legal entities for establishing European Research Infrastructures. Since it was launched in 2009, 31 ERICs have been established and others are currently in the pipeline. 

The updated guidelines published today reflect the Commission's ongoing efforts to offer support and guidance to all interested parties, building on extensive exchanges with existing ERICs, Member States and experts. They feature several improvements triggered by technological and legal developments: 

• a revised structure, better aligned with the ERIC Regulation
• adaptations to reflect technological and legal developments over the past decade
• additional guidance on issues going beyond the scope of the ERIC Regulation
• updated annexes, including best practices for reporting

The ERIC Practical Guidelines were first introduced in 2010, following the adoption of the ERIC Regulation and were subsequently updated in 2015 to reflect amendments to the ERIC Regulation that were introduced in 2013.