Commission seeks feedback on the future Charter of access for industrial users to research and technology infrastructures

The Commission has launched a public survey to collect input from interested stakeholders on the forthcoming Charter of access for industrial users to research and technology infrastructures.

Building on the revised Charter for access to research infrastructures , this new Charter will be specifically aimed at facilitating access of companies. It will make it easier for companies, especially small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), startups and scaleups, to access Europe's world-class research and technology infrastructures.

The Charter will help simplify access and contractual conditions of such infrastructures, ranging from advanced laboratories to large scientific instruments, pilot lines, testbeds, and more. As a result, companies will be able to test and validate their innovative solutions under the best conditions and bring them to the market more quickly.

It will also contribute to Europe's vibrant and accessible ecosystem of research and technology infrastructures, a compelling reason for innovative companies to Choose Europe.

The Charter is an action stemming from the EU Startup and Scaleup Strategyand aligns with the objectives of the European strategy on research and technology infrastructures. Building on the Charter, the forthcoming European Innovation Act will promote the access of innovative companies to European research and technology infrastructures through legislative measures.

The Charter aims to improve access to infrastructures through six proposed principles:

1. Increased visibility and availability of services
2. Transparency and quality of services
3. Simplified contract and agreement procedures
4. Safe intellectual property management
5. Priority to companies in the EU
6. Cooperation between infrastructures and access to data

Stakeholders are invited to provide their views on the design and content of the Charterby 10 December 2025. The final Charter is expected to be presented in 2026.

The survey was launched during the conference "From knowledge to impact: Shaping Europe's next innovation wave" on 13 November 2025. The announcement was followed by a dedicated session on "Connecting innovative companies to research and technology infrastructures", where industry, infrastructures and innovation agencies representatives shared their views on how to make access to infrastructures more transparent, efficient and fairer.

Background

Research and technology infrastructures are the backbone of Europe's research and innovation system. They support the full innovation cycle - from frontier science to the validation and deployment of new technologies. This makes them essential for Europe's scientific excellence, competitiveness and technological sovereignty.

At the same time, many companies face barriers when trying to access infrastructures, such as complex procedures, unclear intellectual property rules, or fragmented information about available services. The Charter of access for industrial users will seek to address these issues.

It will complement the 22 actions of the European strategy on research and technology infrastructures, which promotes an ecosystem approach based on five strategic priorities: capacities and investment (including digitalisation), accessibility, governance, talent, and international resilience.

More information

Public Survey on the Charter of Access for Industrial Users to Research and Technology Infrastructures

European strategy on research and technology infrastructures

EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy

European Charter for Access to Research Infrastructures

European Research Infrastructures