Best Practices and Recommendations for Procedures of Engagement with Third Countries

The global interconnected nature of scientific challenges and the diversity of the required resources and skills demand broad international sharing of data, knowledge, best practices, and research joint programs. In this context Research Infrastructures are critical for global science, global economy and for the entire global research community.In this task a combination of existing literature review, a survey sent out to all ERICs, and one-hour interviews with ERICs were used to collect an overview of the different models of integration used by ERICs to engage with third countries (i.e., countries not associated to Horizon Europe; for example UK and Israel do not qualify as third countries, they are associated to Horizon Europe) and international organisations. This report summarises the ERIC Forum common understanding of methodologies, challenges and opportunities for global collaboration. It analyses the current status of ERIC's partnerships with third countries, identifies potential barriers and opportunities to enhance cooperation, and offers recommendations to various stakeholders on best practices.There is a consensus within the ERIC community that opening services to countries outside Europe is a challenging but highly needed activity. Engagement fosters improvement to the infrastructure and allows the opportunity to tackle global challenges. Barriers to this much needed engagement were identified including financial, political, administrative and managerial issues which need to be addressed to achieve a productive and enriching collaboration. ERICs have found instruments to advance in their internationalisation efforts which in many cases are fit for purpose and have allowed for integration, albeit with limitations which are described. This is the case for the agreements with individual organisations which have made it possible to tackle global challenges in partnership. When ERICs require an interaction at national level other instruments are needed. Full membership at ministry-level would ensure a clear buy-in to the future of the ERIC, but so far this is an option which has not been extensively exploited due mainly to legal barriers, such as the signature to the European Court of Justice. Associated membership for organisations, with a limited set of rights and obligations, is viewed as an alternative which can fulfil the higher level of involvement of parties outside of Europe without facing the same legal barriers. A great wealth of experience and expertise have been identified within the ERIC community which will be explored in the next task (7.2, Cooperation activities implemented with the international organisations selected) of this work package.