ACTRIS ERIC concretizes a long-term effort by Finland and European countries
The European Commission has taken a long-anticipated decision to establish the Aerosol, Clouds and Trace Gases Research Infrastructure (ACTRIS) as a European Research Infrastructure Consortium, or ERIC1.
The establishment of ACTRIC ERIC manifests the fast progress of ACTRIS from a project-based network to a mature and sustainable research infrastructure. With its ERIC status, ACTRIS is now legally recognized as a European Research Infrastructure, providing ACTRIS with a stable legal structure.
“This decision means the ACTRIS facilities can now operate legally together, as one organisation,” says Eija Juurola, Interim ACTRIS Leader.
“The decision comes at an important time since the transition to operations is already happening, and the synergies with scientists and industry are continuously developing.” ACTRIS ERIC provides access to a large variety of high-quality services to a wide range of users and needs, for scientific, technological and innovation-oriented usage through its internationally scientific platforms.
Finland has a strong investment in the development of the research network
Finland is one of the 17 funding members of ACTRIS ERIC. With this commitment, Finland demonstrates atmospheric and air quality research as a national priority for at least the next five years, thereby supporting scientific excellence across Europe. Being a member country of ACTRIS ERIC means that ACTRIS Finland representatives can help shape the strategy, participate in mission-based research, and join ACTRIS unified voice in the forefront of European science and education landscape of atmospheric research focused on aerosol, clouds, and trace gases.
Finland has a leading role in coordinating the whole research infrastructure and will host the Statutory Seat in Kumpula, Helsinki.
“Hosting the Head Office in Finland is a sign of recognition for the Finnish contribution in atmospheric sciences and our expertise in developing, operating and managing pan-European Research Infrastructures”, says Professor Tuukka Petäjä, University of Helsinki and Head of ACTRIS-Finland.
ACTRIS combines European research expertise
ACTRIS facilities make up the largest, multi-site atmospheric research infrastructure in the world. Other countries involved in the founding of ACTRIS ERIC include Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. Greece and UK expressed interest in joining at later stages.
ACTRIS is a large research infrastructure with substantial financial volume and its operations are funded by its member countries. The total investment by the participating countries during the design, preparatory, and implementation phase is approximately 700 M€, of which a large part is an investment for upgrading the existing scientific platforms or building new ones. ACTRIS, together with other European environmental research infrastructures, contribute to the new European Research Area (ERA) objectives with larger R&D investments, more evenly distributed capacities and access to excellent R&I in atmospheric research across Europe, better circulation of knowledge and technology and finally increased EU competitiveness.