European Research Infrastructure Consortia (ERICs) are legal entities set up under EU law to facilitate the establishment and operation of research infrastructures with European interest. They can be used either for establishing a new research infrastructure or for integrating existing research infrastructures into a single legal entity that is more advantageous for their operations and structural needs in the context of the European Research Area and of a global outreach.

These guidelines are aimed at assisting potential ERIC applicants as well as existing ERICs. They are provided for information purposes only and are not intended to replace any applicable legal source, nor professional legal advice addressing specific issues. Neither the European Commission nor any person acting on its behalf can be held responsible for the use made of these guidelines. (from the back cover, manuscript published March 2025 in Publications Office of the European Union)

Table of contents in brief

Introduction

1. What is an ERIC and how does it operate?

1.1 Legal status and characteristics of ERICs

1.2 Essential elements of the statuses of an ERIC

1.3 Other elements of the statuses of an ERIC

2. How to set up an ERIC

2.1 Procedure for application

2.2 Content of the application

2.3 Amending the statuses of an ERIC

3. Annexes

3.1 Annex 1: Compliance checklist

3.2 Annex 2: Statuses template

3.3 Annex 3: Templates for requesting the setting-up of an ERIC

3.4 Annex 4: Annual activity report: Best practices

3.5 Annex 5: Financial report: Best practices

3.6 Annex 6: Consolidated ERIC Regulation

Background of ERIC instrument and practical guidelines

The ERIC instrument has successfully filled the gap between traditional treaty-based international organisations and national legal entities for establishing European Research Infrastructures. Since it was launched in 2009, 31 ERICs have been established and others are currently in the pipeline (state of play in March 2025).

The ERIC Practical Guidelines were first introduced in 2010, following the adoption of the ERIC Regulation and were subsequently updated in 2015 to reflect amendments to the ERIC Regulation that were introduced in 2013. The update of the practical guidelines in 2025 feature several improvements triggered by technological and legal developments:

• a revised structure, better aligned with the ERIC Regulation
• adaptations to reflect technological and legal developments over the past decade
• additional guidance on issues going beyond the scope of the ERIC Regulation
• updated annexes, including best practices for reporting.