The ACCESS2ACCESS project officially kicked off on 12 May, marking the start of an ambitious effort to make European research infrastructures more accessible, inclusive, and efficient.
With over 60 participants joining the online meeting, the energy was palpable from the outset. Curious questions, lively exchanges, and early presentations of work already underway on day one highlighted a strong collective momentum. The high level of engagement clearly reflects a shared recognition: improving how researchers discover and access services across Europe is both necessary and timely.
AnaEE is proud to be part of this initiative, collaborating across multiple work packages alongside fellow European Research Infrastructure Consortia (ERICs) and a diverse consortium of 17 participants and 22 supporting partners representing a wide range of scientific domains. Within the project, AnaEE contributes to Work Packages 3 and 4, and leads Work Package 6.
Smarter access for greater science
Europe hosts some of the world’s most advanced research facilities, from environmental monitoring networks and biobanks to cutting-edge imaging and computing infrastructures. These resources are essential for addressing major societal challenges such as climate change, public health, and sustainable innovation.
However, accessing these facilities remains complex. Researchers often face fragmented systems, varying procedures, and limited visibility of available services. This can be particularly challenging for early-career researchers, those working in smaller institutions, or those based in less-connected regions.
ACCESS2ACCESS aims to address these barriers by designing a more coherent and user-friendly access landscape. Over the next 20 months, the project will map existing access schemes, engage extensively with the research community, and develop concrete proposals for a future European access framework — including governance and funding models.
A key innovation under exploration is the development of an AI-assisted “one-stop-shop”: a smart discovery tool that would allow researchers to describe their needs in plain language and be guided towards the most relevant facilities and services across Europe.
By ensuring broad participation across disciplines, countries, and career stages, ACCESS2ACCESS seeks to build a more inclusive system that truly reflects the diversity of the European research community.
The project’s outcomes will contribute directly to shaping future EU research policy, helping to ensure that Europe’s world-class research infrastructures are easier to find, access, and use — for everyone.
