E-Infrastructures Reflection Group

e-IRG (e-Infrastructure Reflection Group)[1]

The e-IRG is a European inter-governmental advisory group dealing with policies on electronic infrastructures (e-Infrastructures) for research, i.e. research networks, computing, software and data infrastructures that mainly serve students, researchers and scientists. It advises and recommends actions towards the European Commission (DG CONNECT), the EU Member states governments (Research or Science Ministries), e-Infrastructure providers and users, as well as other bodies such as ESFRI. On 3 December 2009 EU Competitiveness Council in its conclusions "welcomed the work of the e-IRG to address policy related barriers for the shared use of e-Infrastructures".[2] "A specific role for e-IRG and ESFRI in reinforcing European policy for research infrastructures" was also foreseen in the publication of the European Commission proposal for Horizon 2020 [3] and that the e-IRG and ESFRI will be consulted during the H2020 implementation. Further roles for e-IRG are also included in the European Research Area (ERA) EC Communication,[4] namely to assist in the development of a charter of access for EU research infrastructures, to assist in defining measures that can help to combine national, regional and EU funds and to work with the European Commission to promote the alignment of EU and national approaches to e-Infrastructure development and use.

Mission and Vision

The e-IRG mission is to pave the way towards a general-purpose European e-Infrastructure. The vision for the future is an open e-Infrastructure enabling flexible cooperation and optimal use of all electronically available resources.

Membership

The e-IRG is formed by official delegates from ministries of science, research or equivalent from various European countries. The e-IRG also coordinates activities with international initiatives outside of Europe. Consists of appointed EU Member, Accession and Associated States Representatives, and officials from the European Commission. The e-IRG is supported by an e-IRG secretariat located in the Netherlands and a support programme, funded by the European Commission, providing a comprehensive framework assisting the e-IRG work.

Outputs, Meetings and Funding

The e-IRG produces roadmaps, white papers, blue papers, workshop reports, task force reports, recommendations, policy papers, and analyses the future foundations of the European Knowledge Society. It supports the creation of a political, technological and administrative framework for an easy and cost-effective shared use of distributed electronic resources across Europe. Particular attention is directed towards networking, computing, software, and data infrastructures. To make this happen e-IRG organizes 2 workshops and 4 delegates meetings every year, hosted by the country holding the presidency of the Council of the European Union. The work of the e-IRG delegates is voluntary.

The White Paper published in 2013 takes the discussion concerning vision for the future of e-Infrastructures in Europe one step further. It states that Europe needs an "e-Infrastructure Commons" for knowledge, science and innovation. This infrastructure should be open and accessible, and continuously adapting to the changing requirements of research and to new technological opportunities. The White Paper 2013 based on contributions by various e-IRG champions, all experts in different areas.

Executive Board

The executive board consists of a chair elected by the members, and three board members representing the rotating EU Presidency (past – current – future presidencies deliver one board member). Current Executive Board (during Italian EU Presidency 2014)

References

  1. ↑ e-Infrastructure Reflection Group home page
  2. ↑ EU Competitiveness Council Conclusions, 03.12.2009
  3. ↑ EC Proposal for HORIZON 2020, COM(2011) 811 final
  4. ↑ European Research Area (ERA) EC Communication