Excellent Science

CERIC’s main aim is to contribute to the creation of excellent science, both as in-house activity and as a service to international users. This is achieved mainly by providing open access to its research facilities through two calls for proposals per year, addressing researchers requiring the use of one or more complementary techniques for structural investigation, analysis, synthesis and imaging of materials and biomaterials down to the nano-scale. Between 2014 and 2022, 1956 proposals were received from research groups coming from 59 countries worldwide. 1165 proposals were selected for open access to the CERIC facilities, and the number of publications has significantly increased over the years.

To further contribute to scientific and technological output, mutual learning and integration of the facilities, CERIC supports four internal research projects, each involving at least two Partner Facilities. The three-year projects are implemented through joint co-funding of the involved parties, while the top-up is contributed from funds for strengthening CERIC, allocated by the Italian Ministry of Education, Universities and Research, MIUR.

Training and education

CERIC promotes and supports training actions for students and researchers. Examples include the yearly participation in the Hercules School on the use of Neutron and Synchrotron radiation, and the coordination of projects aiming at training perspective users on the possible uses of the instruments available in CERIC.

Projects such as PaGES, Planning, Management and execution of a Scientific Experiment in an international research infrastructure, address high school pupils to get them closer to the scientific environment and give them an overview of the career paths available in a research infrastructure.

Mutual training practices carried out with managers and administrative personnel in different ERICs (among others, in the framework of the Accelerate project) have fostered CERIC’s contribution to the development of policies, methodologies, funding plans and human resources elements of sustainability of research infrastructures, and of CERIC in particular.

ERA Development

CERIC-ERIC contributes to European research and innovation, representing an added value for the development of the European Research Area (ERA) and to its innovation potential. It stimulates beneficial impact on the scientific, industrial and economic advancement by improving the quality and capability in education, technology and in the attraction of other socioeconomic returns.

Innovation and Development

CERIC collaborates with industry, contributing to science-driven innovation. It offers services for commercial users on market-based conditions, which include:

• Research and Development (R&D)
• Training
• Innovations’ marketplace
• Spin-off and start-up support

Learn more about the joint projects between CERIC and industrial partners.