The revised Charter for Access to Research Infrastructures is a key outcome of the ERA Policy Agenda (2022–2024). The Charter sets out non-regulatory principles and guidelines to help research infrastructures design fair, transparent, and effective access policies that put users at the centre.
The updated Charter promotes open science and the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable), ensuring that data and results are widely available, reproducible, and beneficial across disciplines. It also addresses research security and strategic autonomy, aligning with Europe’s global research strategy and safeguarding the integrity of infrastructures.
Recognising the evolving role of research infrastructures, the Charter expands access to new user groups, including industry and SMEs, while highlighting the need for resilience during crises such as pandemics. By combining openness, security, inclusiveness, and resilience, the revised Charter strengthens the role of research infrastructures in supporting discovery, innovation, and Europe’s long-term competitiveness. The factsheet outlines its main principles and illustrates how it contributes to a stronger and more connected European Research Area.
