HORIZON-RIA (Research and Innovation Actions)OpenHORIZON-INFRA-2026-DEV-01-07

Risk management, mitigation and contingency for ESFRI/ERIC and other world-class research infrastructures

Horizon Europe

Per project€4M

1 phase

Deadline:2026-06-16

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Strategic Analysis

This call aims to enhance the resilience and sustainability of pan-European research infrastructures (RIs), particularly ESFRI and ERICs, by addressing critical risks in climate, health, and social sciences. The focus is on developing and implementing robust risk management, mitigation, and contingency plans to safeguard data, equipment, and facilities, ensuring continuity of R&I services and alignment with EU priorities. The action type (RIA) suggests a strong emphasis on research and innovation to deliver tangible outcomes, such as updated risk management frameworks, preserved critical capacities, and reinforced EU strategic autonomy in research.

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Suggested TRL Range

TRL 2 → 6

Based on programme defaults

Scope Activities (5)

SC1

Support pan-European research infrastructures (e.g., ESFRI, ERICs, and other world-class research infrastructures) in implementing mitigation and contingency plans for critical risks, particularly in climate, health, and social sciences domains.

SC2

Describe capacities at risk due to shrinking geographical coverage, loss or interruption of data, limited access or high fees for data/equipment/facilities, or supply challenges, and update risk management plans where relevant.

SC3

Identify the expected impact of realized risks beyond the research infrastructures concerned, including effects on related operational or deployment programs, international agreements, EU priorities, competitiveness, and strategic autonomy.

SC4

Implement mitigation and contingency plans to address capacities at risk, ensuring sustainability of research infrastructures and preserving EU capacity and research freedom to address policy priorities and socio-economic challenges.

SC5

Develop guidance and disseminate best practices on risk-assessment and research security, considering EU recommendations on research security and foreign interference, and explore links to initiatives like a European centre of expertise on research security.

Expected Outcomes (5)

EO1

European research infrastructures benefit from more robust risk management plans, notably in climate, biodiversity loss, pollution, health, and social science domains, and risks related to access to critical data, equipment, or facilities.

EO2

European research infrastructures have implemented mitigation plans and, where needed, contingency plans for critical risks such as preservation of critical data, geographical coverage, alternative methods, tools, equipment, and new or strengthened collaborations.

EO3

EU and Member States are better informed on critical research infrastructures and critical R&I services, enabling development of policies to preserve critical data, knowledge, and capacities.

EO4

The European Research Area benefits from more information about critical research infrastructures and R&I services, and from preserved capacity and research freedom to address its priorities and socio-economic challenges.

EO5

The global competitiveness and attractiveness of the European Research Area is reinforced.