Action plan: FIRI 2022 local research infrastructures

In order to streamline the review, the action plan and the review form have the same structure. That is why it is important that the action plan follows the guidelines and structure provided. Be as concise as you can. Write the action plan in English. The plan may be no longer than 20 pages. The font is Source Sans Pro (font size 12 pt, line spacing 1.15 and margins 20 mm). The paper size is A4. All bibliographic references must be added directly into the text, for example as follows: (author(s) year) or [number]. You cannot use footnotes. The bibliography (no more than 2 pages) does not count towards the length of the plan.

Fill in the plan in the Research Council's online services on the tab ‘Action plan’. You cannot submit the plan as an appendix.

Please read the call text and its appendices carefully before you start writing the action plan.

• Also familiarise yourself with the settings in research plan editor.
• See the How-to guides for the online services on our website for the technical instructions.

1.  Description of research infrastructure

1.1 Present the research infrastructure. For example, explain why it is being/has been established and what it does.

2. Significance of research

2.1 How does the infrastructure facilitate excellent science?

3. Cooperation and impact

3.1 Explain how the research infrastructure will bring added value to the region. For example, describe how the research infrastructure will increase the vitality, skills and innovation potential in the region or support partnerships between RDI actors (such as research and innovation infrastructures).

Describe how the research infrastructure will support regional specialisation and business regeneration and growth. Does it promote collaboration opportunities in the public and private sectors and the provision of solution-oriented information to meet society’s needs? Describe how.

4. Ownership and know-how

4.1 Which organisation(s) own(s) the research infrastructure? How is the ownership reflected in the infrastructure’s activities? Does the research infrastructure have a legal personality?

What is the knowledge and know-how of the infrastructure’s staff in terms of the infrastructure’s activities?

5. Services and users

5.1 Services

Describe the services that the research infrastructure will provide during the next five years (until 2027). Are the services of the research infrastructure accessible by physical access, remote access or data access, or by combinations of these?

Describe the access policy for the above services. Describe, for instance, the following:

• Where information on access to the research infrastructure can be found.
• Whether users have free access to the services of the research infrastructure or whether access to the services is restricted or subject to permits. If access is restricted or subject to permits, describe, for example, if the use is restricted to only research use, internal use or other uses. What permits are required to use the research infrastructure (e.g. ethical permits). Please note that open access does not mean that the use is free of charge.
• Is there a fee for using the research infrastructure?

5.2 Users

• How is the user base of the research infrastructure defined (e.g. person, research team, download)?
• What is the research infrastructure’s current or planned number of users per year on average?
• What is the research infrastructure’s current or planned utilisation rate (% of time available)?

6. Digital platforms and data

6.1 Digitalisation

In its activities, does the research infrastructure take account of the needs for change created by the growth of digitalisation and data intensity? How does the research infrastructure aim to respond to these needs?

What is the significance of the data produced by the research infrastructure or project in terms of the digital transition? Describe this from the following perspectives, for instance:

• the significance of the data produced by the research infrastructure in terms of the digital transition
• the development or introduction of new technologies
• service models that support digitalisation and data intensity (e.g. remote use).

6.1 Data – data management policy

The research infrastructure’s data management policy should be described on a separate appendix.

7. Responsibility and the green transition

7.1 Research ethics

How are the principles of good scientific practice and good governance considered in the infrastructure activities? (Read more: Ethical guidelines)

7.2 Equality and nondiscrimination

How will the research infrastructure take into account and implement equality and nondiscrimination in its activities? (Read more: Equality and nondiscrimination guidelines)

7.3 The green transition

Explain whether data produced with the research infrastructure has significance to the green transition towards carbon neutrality.

What concrete actions does the research infrastructure have planned to reach the carbon neutrality target (of the green transition)?

Describe the planned actions, for example from the following perspectives:

• facilities (e.g. construction and energy efficiency, and reuse of waste heat)
• operations (e.g. energy source or energy efficiency and materials used)
• use (e.g. remote access and travel).

Read more:

• Carbon-neutral Finland by 2035
• Carbon-neutral Finland that protects biodiversity
• Sustainable Growth Programme for Finland: Recovery and Resilience Plan
• Strategy for National Research Infrastructures in Finland 2020–2030

8. Budget

8.1 Total budget of research infrastructure

Enter the total funding data for the research infrastructure for 2023–2027 in two tables. Enter the research infrastructure’s expenditure (e.g. personnel costs, rents, equipment acquisitions) in Table 1 and the research infrastructure’s revenue (e.g. contributions from own organisation, other organisations and the Research Council of Finland) in Table 2. See example tables below.

Fill in the information to the nearest EUR 1,000. In addition, provide a brief verbal description of the expenditure and revenue.

The financial contribution applied for from the Research Council of Finland is itemised and justified on the tab ‘Funding applied for’.

Table 1. Expenditure.

Fill in the expenditure of the research infrastructure in 2023–2027 in Table 1. Itemise the expenditure as follows: personnel, equipment acquisitions, equipment maintenance, rents and other expenses. The last row is the sum of the expenditure for each year.

Table 2. Revenue.

Fill in the estimated revenue of the research infrastructure in 2023–2027 in Table 2. Itemise the revenue as follows:

• organisation funding
• existing Research Council of Finland funding
• funding now applied for from the Research Council of Finland
• other competitive funding
• other public funding
• usage and service fees
• other revenue.

The last row is the sum of the revenue for each year.

9. Risk management plan

9.1 What are the critical points for success and alternative implementation strategies for the activities of the research infrastructure and the success of the project? Briefly describe the risks and present a risk management plan.

10. References

• List of all of the sources used in the action plan
• The list (no more than 2 pages) does not count towards the length of the plan.
• Please note that the text type, font size and line spacing of the list are the same as elsewhere in the plan.