Excellent research requires excellent infrastructure. Horizon Europe 2025 continues to invest in cutting-edge Research Infrastructures (RIs) that empower scientists, innovators, and policymakers across Europe and beyond. These infrastructures provide access to data, services, equipment, and knowledge — enabling breakthrough discoveries and world-class innovation.
This article outlines the role and funding priorities of Research Infrastructures in the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2025.
What Are Research Infrastructures?
Research Infrastructures (RIs) are facilities, resources, and services that the scientific community uses to conduct high-level research. They include:
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Large-scale laboratories and scientific equipment
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Data repositories and e-infrastructures
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Distributed networks of research resources
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Services enabling knowledge transfer and innovation
These infrastructures are crucial for:
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Advancing frontier research and innovation
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Attracting and retaining talent in Europe
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Supporting EU policy priorities like digitalisation, green transition, and health preparedness
Horizon Europe 2025 Objectives for RIs
The 2025 Work Programme focuses on:
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Strengthening the European Research Area (ERA)
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Enhancing open access to RIs across borders
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Promoting interconnected and interoperable infrastructures
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Supporting emerging and strategic RI needs in areas like health, AI, quantum computing, and climate science
Through its investments, the EU fosters a competitive R&I system built on excellence, openness, and sustainability.
Key Areas of Funding
Horizon Europe supports Research Infrastructures across four major activity lines:
1. Developing, consolidating and optimizing RI landscape
Investments in:
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New RI design studies
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Mergers or upgrades of existing facilities
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Roadmaps to reduce duplication and align national/regional priorities
2. Effective access to RIs for researchers and innovators
Supports:
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Transnational and virtual access schemes
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Interdisciplinary research through shared resources
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Strengthened collaboration across EU and associated countries
3. Innovation and deployment of digital RIs
Includes:
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Advanced computing and AI-powered services
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European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) integration
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Data federation, sharing and interoperability
4. RI support to policy and societal challenges
Focuses on:
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RIs enabling health preparedness and pandemic response
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Environmental monitoring, including air/water/soil quality
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Climate models and simulations for adaptation strategies
Why It Matters
In 2025, Research Infrastructures play a cross-cutting role in multiple Horizon Europe Clusters (Health, Digital, Climate, etc.). They are enablers of:
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Better use of public R&I investment
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Open science and reproducibility of results
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Collaboration between academia, industry and public authorities
They also help reduce fragmentation across the European research landscape and support inclusiveness, ensuring participation of less research-intensive regions.
How to Apply
Funding opportunities for RIs are listed in dedicated calls under the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Proposals often require pan-European consortia and clear plans for access provision and sustainability.
For help with eligibility and proposal structure, see Part 1 of this guide — your gateway to navigating Horizon Europe applications.
Conclusion: Infrastructure for Excellence
Research Infrastructures are the backbone of European innovation. They empower scientists, enable big science, and address societal challenges from health to climate. Through Horizon Europe, the EU continues to strengthen its world-class RI ecosystem — ensuring open, secure, and high-quality research across borders.
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