ACCESS PILOT PROGRAM
PILOT ACCESS PROGRAMME – TEMPORARILY ON HOLD
Due to the strong interest in the Pilot Access Programme, the submission of new applications is temporarily on hold.
The Programme is expected to reopen for new applications in the coming months. Further information on the reopening and the next opportunity to submit applications will be announced on this website.
- While waiting, explore RISEnergy Access Opportunities, where many EU-SOLARIS facilities participate:
- RISEnergy Transnational Access, *FIFTH CALL FOR APPLICATIONS OPEN*. Call topic: Innovative solutions to improve energy systems and/or reduce the life cycle cost of energy technologies, enabling a wider use of renewable energy.
- Read the full Pilot Access Programme information → below
Access Pilot Program
The EU-SOLARIS ERIC Access Pilot Programme provides users with the opportunity to obtain access to our research infrastructure and the services it offers. Through this programme researchers, industry and other potential users can benefit from a range of resources, including facilities, technical services, equipment, data, expertise, and other forms of support available within the infrastructure.
Access may involve physical or remote interaction with installations and services, depending on the nature of the requested activity. The programme is designed to facilitate collaboration, enable high-quality research and innovation, and broaden the use of the infrastructure by the scientific and technological community.
The Access Pilot Programme is now open. Interested users can find further information about the access modalities, eligibility criteria, and the application process in the sections below.
The Access Pilot Program will cover all related costs including facility use fees and the user’s travel and accommodation costs as well, up to a fixed maximum, which will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
The total budget is limited to a maximum of €90,000 for the two years of the Pilot’s lifetime (2026 – 2027).
The selected proposals will be granted access based on the number of applications received and subject to the budget availability, so it will be necessary to limit the number of granted accesses according to economic constraints.
Applications can be submitted at any time to the ERIC’s Central Hub, as this is an open call, throughout the 2026–2027 period.
Two committees have been set up for the selection process:
– The ‘Access Committee’: A committee composed of the Access Managers of the EU-SOLARIS ERIC Research Infrastructures in such a way that the quantity and quality of the access granted to users will be the best possible. The Access Managers will check the feasibility of the Users’ applications before they are submitted to the External User Selection Panel.
– The ‘External User Selection Panel’ (EUSP): A committee composed by experts in the field of Concentrated Solar Thermal technologies (CST) and Solar Chemistry Technologies (SCT), nominated by the Access Committee and approved by the General Assembly of EUSOLARIS ERIC, to evaluate applications submitted by potential Users (Applicants). The number of experts composing the External User Selection Panel as well as the requirements to be a member of the EUSP will be defined by the Access Committee of EUSOLARIS ERIC. These experts are not part of the staff of EU-SOLARIS ERIC partners (i.e. they are from external entities with expertise on the different topics of the Call), thus ensuring their independence when selecting the ‘Projects’.
Proposals will be submitted to the ERIC’s Central Hub throughout the year under an ‘open call’ scheme. However, the EUSP will meet on a quarterly basis to facilitate dynamic access.
The technical feasibility and scientific interest of each access proposal (pre-screening) will be assessed in advance by the Access Manager of the requested facility, as an initial, ‘go-no go’ step. Only those proposals pre-approved by the Access Manager will be submitted for scientific evaluation by the EUSP. The outcome of the pre-screening process must be approved by the Access Committee.
The EUSP will score the proposals received per facility according to its internal rules of selection, providing an assessment of their scientific merit. Final decision on access will be taken on a budget availability basis.
The access granted through this program is likely to be ‘Trans-national’ in most cases. However, the EUSP may consider to approve a proposal of ‘National’ access in exceptional cases.
Applications will be made in accordance with the European Commission’s principles: scientific quality, relevance, and uniqueness (European Charter for Access to Research Infrastructures).
Before the first evaluation starts, an online meeting with the External User Selection Panel (EUSP) members will be
organised by the Trans-national Access Coordinator (TAC) to discuss the evaluation procedures, rules, and timeline. Further communication on these points will take place via email exchanges and, if requested, bilateral online meetings.
An “Open Call” scheme will be implemented, with virtual selection meetings carried out on a quarterly basis. Each Application must be evaluated by a minimum of three and a maximum of five experts forming an evaluation committee within the EUSP, depending on availability and the subject of the Application.
The first step of the process is the pre-screening of the Application. The purpose of the pre-screening is to analyse the type of activity proposed by the Applicant and the ability of the requested facility to meet the technical requirements specified in the Application. The Research Infrastructure (RI) provider will receive the access proposals for its RI from the TAC. Supported by its Installation Project Leaders, the Access Manager of the requested facility will then perform a quality assurance check of the technical capabilities of the facility in relation to the objectives of the work planned by the Applicant.
Once the pre-screening of all received Applications has been completed by the Access Managers, the Access Committee will assess and validate the results of the pre-screening process. The TAC will coordinate this process to ensure that no additional delays are introduced into the selection procedure.
A list of retained Applications, together with a short description of each, will be sent to the EUSP for evaluation. If fewer than three suitable experts are available within the EUSP for a given Application, external researchers will be identified and invited to participate in the evaluation.
The evaluation process for each call will be documented in an Evaluation Report, and the outcome will be communicated to both the Applicants and the EUSP members involved in the evaluation of the specific call. For rejected Applications, reasons for rejection and feedback will be provided. For accepted Applications, an invitation for Access, together with detailed instructions and relevant documents, will be sent to the Applicant at least
four weeks prior to the scheduled Access, in accordance with the General Rules for Transnational Access (TA).
The EUSP shall base its selection on scientific merit, giving priority to User Groups that:
– have not previously used the installation;
– are based in countries where no equivalent research infrastructure exists; and
– ensure gender balance.
The assessment of TA research Applications follows specific selection criteria to enable the ranking of proposals. Applications will be prioritised based on their scientific and technological excellence and their relevance to the objectives of EU-SOLARIS ERIC and the concerned RI(s). Reviewers will assess each Application against these criteria.
EUSP evaluators will receive a standard evaluation form for the assessment of the Application(s).
The evaluation categories and corresponding scores are:
- General quality of the Application (score: 0–10): completeness and structure, consistency with the call topic, clarity of objectives and expected results, relevance of the proposed dissemination actions, and justification of the requested access.
- Scientific and technical excellence (score: 0–10): scientific and technical relevance, originality and innovation, methodology, robustness and feasibility of the test/evaluation approach, and realism of the work plan.
- Expected impact on the receiving laboratory (score: 0–10): improvement of know-how within the laboratories, enhancement of laboratory technologies and methods, synergies with other projects, and cooperation with other infrastructures.
- Uniqueness and innovation potential (score: 0–10): novelty and innovation of the proposed approach or solution, from material, cell, or device up to system level, including potential transformative aspects and expected advances.
Only Applications achieving more than 60% of the maximum possible score may be granted access. As resources are limited, EU-SOLARIS ERIC management reserves the right to reject any Application or to propose alternative solutions to reduce costs (e.g. shortening the access period or assigning a different RI with lower costs).
Applicants will be informed of the evaluation results by the EU-SOLARIS TAC within one week of the completion of the evaluation process.
The resubmission of rejected Applications in subsequent calls is permitted.
Applicants must complete all relevant fields in the submission form, a template of which can be found here. In addition, applications must be digitally signed by the applicants and sent to the email address: access@eu-solaris.eu
This is an open call; therefore, applications may be submitted at any time to the ERIC’s Central Hub throughout the year, during the 2026–2027 period. Applications will be reviewed on a quarterly basis, and applicants will be contacted within a maximum period of three months. Please note that rejected applications may be resubmitted.
What is a ‘User’?
‘Users’ of Research Infrastructures are researchers and all others (including industrials) engaged in the development of new knowledge, products, processes, methods and systems and also in the management of their projects, including those from business and industry. Users can also consist of teams that include technical staff and/or students participating in the research in the framework of their studies and may come from both European and non-European countries. Internal Users are those belonging to any of the Research Infrastructures included in EU-SOLARIS ERIC.
When can the Access Pilot Program be applied?
Proposals can be submitted to the ERIC’s Central Hub throughout the year under an ‘open call’ scheme.
What is the duration of the Access Pilot Program?
Intended duration is two years, set for the period 2026-2027.
How much budget is planned for the 2026–2027 pilot program?
The total budget is limited to a maximum of €90,000 for the two years of the Pilot’s lifetime.
Who approves the payments and how are they disbursed?
Following the selection and evaluation process, payments will be made by the Managing Director on a quarterly basis, subject to prior approval from the General Assembly.
Who is the ‘Access Manager’?
Contact person nominated by each EU-SOLARIS ERIC Research Infrastructure to participate in the Access Committee and undertake the management of access activities in the RIs s/he belongs to. There will be one Access Manager per RI providing Access.
Who is the ‘Trans-national Access Coordinator’?
‘Trans-national Access Coordinator’ is the person responsible for ensuring the general organisation of the access activities and act as Secretary of the Access Committee and the User Selection Panel.
Who is the ‘Installation Project Leader’?
‘Installation Project Leader’ (IPL) is the person responsible for a project at a Research Infrastructure of the Access Provider. It is in charge of supervising the experimental activity at the installation (including the safety matters), and supporting the User in all technical, administrative and logistic needs. During the Project, when an issue dictates the need for support request by the User, the first point of contact should always be the IPL. The Installation Project Leader is appointed by the Access Provider from its staff.
Who is the ‘Access provider’?
‘Access provider’ is the legal entity that is in charge of providing access to the research infrastructure(s). The “access provider” may be an entity different from the owner of the research infrastructure(s).
Can I apply for an Research Infrastructure located in my country?
The access granted through this program is likely to be ‘Trans-national’ in most cases. However, the EUSP may consider to approve a proposal of ‘National’ access, in exceptional cases.
When will I receive confirmation on the status of my proposal?
The External User Selection Panel will meet on a quarterly basis for the evaluation process, to facilitate dynamic access. Applicants will be informed of the evaluation results by the EU-SOLARIS TAC within one week of the completion of the evaluation process.
What actions are required if my proposal gets approved?
For approved proposals, the necessary arrangements to carry out the research project will be started. Applicants will receive detailed instructions and documents within one week after the evaluation process is completed.
I still have some questions; how can I contact you?
For further questions, please contact the Access Pilot team: access@eu-solaris.eu