Find research and technology infrastructures
If you are developing innovative products, research infrastructures, such as European Research Infrastructure Consortiums (ERICs), can help your SME or start-up innovate and grow in the EU market, de-risk investments, accelerate innovation, and facilitate technology deployment.
Research Infrastructures are facilities that provide resources and services to conduct research and foster innovation in their fields, including the associated human resources, major equipment or sets of instruments, computing systems, communication networks and any other essential infrastructure.
The specific services provided by research and technology infrastructures include:
- access to scientific instrumentation and research and testing facilities
- generation, curation, storage and access to data
- research and development services, including those generating IP
- technology services and associated business development support
- testing and validation of specific technologies, solutions or industrial processes
- demonstration or piloting of new technology or production processes
- checking and testing for sustainability, regulatory compliance, safety validation, etc.
- provision of education and/or training in new technologies
If you are interested in accessing or collaborating with biotech research and technology infrastructures, first identify those that best fit your needs. Some receive Horizon Europe support to offer free translational access. Contact the infrastructure and explore access conditions.
Key research and technology infrastructures and resources
European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI)
ESFRI is a strategic instrument to develop the scientific integration of Europe and to strengthen its international outreach. It has a portfolio of top-tier research infrastructures in Europe which enable:
- Access to specialised facilities (e.g., advanced testing and data analysis)
- Networking opportunities with leading research organisations
- Tailored support for advanced R&D areas like drug development and genetic research.
The EOSC initiative aims to create a unified data-sharing environment for researchers. It facilitates collaborative access to diverse datasets across scientific domains, promoting open science principles.
European Association of Research and Technology Organisations (EARTO)
Research and Technology Organizations (RTOs) drive innovation by developing, testing, and validating new technologies and processes across all scientific fields, including biotechnology and biomanufacturing. As non-profits, their mission is to bridge knowledge, skills, and infrastructure to deliver collaborative R&D with public and industrial partners of all sizes.
Research and Technology Infrastructures in Europe (RITIFI): The RITIFI consortium, composed of research infrastructures (RIs) and technology infrastructure stakeholders (TIs) from 10 European countries, aims to improve the integration and structure of the European R&I landscape. It does so by developing a functional framework for the integration of RI and TI services tailored to the needs of end-users.
ERA-Net Cofund on BioTechnologies
The ERA-NET Co-fund on Biotechnologies (ERA CoBioTech) is a project that promotes synthetic biology and systems biology to drive industrial biotechnology. Key services include:
- Funding opportunities: Grants for biotech SMEs to support R&D and innovation projects.
- Cross-border collaboration: Opportunities for biotech companies to participate in cross-national projects.
- Technology scale-up support: Assistance for scaling technologies from lab to market.
European Monitor of Industrial Ecosystems - Technology Centres
The European Monitor of Industrial Ecosystems can help you gain insights into market trends, technological advancements, and other opportunities. EMI also maps around 50 biotech-focused technology centres across Europe that provide R&D support, mentoring, and product development expertise.
- Access to technology expertise and facilities for validation
- Demonstration
- Proof of concept / lab testing, prototype development
- Pilot production and Product validation / certification
Multidisciplinary life science infrastructures
Some infrastructures offer highly specialised resources that are directly relevant to biotech companies, each with unique expertise areas:
- INFRAFRONTIER: provides model organisms for biomedical research and drug development.
- BBMRI-ERIC: access to biobanks, essential for epidemiology and personalized medicine.
- ELIXIR: access to biological data and bioinformatics resources for research in health, genomics and biotechnology.
- Euro-BioImaging ERIC: advanced imaging techniques in biological and biomedical research and cutting-edge imaging facilities.
Infrastructures for specific biotech applications
For biotech projects with unique requirements, explore these targeted resources that offer specialised expertise and facilities across Europe:
- IBISBA: multidisciplinary, integrated services to accelerate end-to-end bioprocess development for health, pharmaceuticals, and sustainable development, focusing on bioprocess innovation.
- EMBRC-ERIC: marine biological resources for ecological and health-related research.
- ERINHA: high-risk pathogen research, in vitro and in vivo, on emerging infectious diseases.
- EU-OPENSCREEN ERIC: access to screening libraries and chemical biology expertise, supporting early stages of drug discovery by enabling the identification of bioactive compounds.
Infrastructures for translational and industrial support
Translational and industrial support infrastructures are vital for biotech companies, helping turn research into real products. They offer advanced facilities, expert guidance, and testing environments, reducing risks and speeding up development. This support can help you innovate faster and bring solutions to market efficiently.
European Clinical Research Infrastructure Network (ECRIN)
Supports multinational clinical research in Europe with services, tools, and expert consultation to facilitate large-scale clinical studies. It also offers access to its Trial Management Tool and Data Centre Certification Program to ensure the reliability and reproducibility of clinical trial results.
EATRIS (European Infrastructure for Translational Medicine)
EATRIS supports translational medicine by connecting academic research with industry. It enhances the development of new therapies through collaboration and resource sharing among research institutions and the healthcare industry.
Microbial Resource Research Infrastructure - ERIC (MIRRI-ERIC)
MIRRI-ERIC brings together 50+ microbial domain Biological Resource Centres (mBRCs), culture collections and research institutes from ten European countries. It focuses on microbial resources, providing access to collections of microorganisms and associated data, supporting research in various fields such as biotechnology, health, and agriculture. This centre enhances the understanding of microbial biodiversity and its applications in research and industry.