European Research Infrastructure Consortiums (ERICs) strengthen collaboration

13 ERICs sign Memorandum of Understanding and establish the ERIC forum

Munich, May 2017. During the 6th ERIC Network meeting in Helsinki, Finland, ERICs have agreed to further intensify their collaboration and to set up the ERIC Forum. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the establishment of the ERIC forum was signed by 13 ERICs, including SHARE.

The meeting took place on the 9th & 10th of May 2017 and brought together representatives from all ERICs, research infrastructures aspiring ERIC status, as well as national governments and the European Commission.

In particular, the objectives of the MoU are to identify common challenges and to jointly develop responses to them, to contribute to the further development of the ERIC Regulation and European and international research context, and to foster the visibility, impact and sustainability of ERICs.

The MoU is not legally binding but reflects a spirit of collaboration between the Forum members and is an important step towards future cooperation. According to the MoU, the ERIC forum shall meet twice a year. The next meeting will be held in Graz, Austria in November 2017.

European Research Infrastructure Consortiums (ERICs) are specific legal forms to facilitate the establishment and operation of research infrastructures with European interest. The Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) became the first European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC) in March 2011. This gives it legal personality and capacity in all EU Member States and other partner countries of the ERIC.

Press releases are available in English and German.