Supporting the Operation of Facilities in Romania within ACTRIS ERIC (RO-ACTRIS-ERIC)

General Information

Action 1.3 – Integration of the national RDI ecosystem into the European and international
Research Area

Total Value: 14,780,073.00 lei

Non-reimbursable Funding:

  – FEDR/FSE+/FC/FTJ: 9.323.526,45 lei

  – national budget: 5.456.546,55 lei

Beneficiary: National Institute for Research and Development in Optoelectronics (INOE 2000)

Partners

   Partner 1: Babeș-Bolyai University (UBB)

   Partner 2: Dunărea de Jos University of Galați (UDJG)

   Partner 3: National Institute for Aerospace Research and Development “Elie Carafoli” (INCAS), Bucharest

Project Objective

The general objective of the RO-ACTRIS-ERIC project is to develop and enhance research and innovation capacities and adopt advanced technologies within Romanian institutions participating in the ACTRIS ERIC research infrastructure.

Specific Objectives

• Modernization of RDI Infrastructure

This objective ensures the necessary material and human infrastructure for conducting activities in the pre-operation and operational phases of ACTRIS. It also facilitates efficient use of RDI infrastructure, enabling open access and ensuring its sustainability while fostering knowledge propagation and RDI results.

• Certification of National Facilities

The project aims to obtain certification for at least six components of the ACTRIS-RO National Facilities, as follows:
a) RADO-Bucharest, a fixed observation platform operated by INOE (for three components: aerosol remote sensing, in-situ aerosol measurements, and cloud remote sensing).
b) RADO-Cluj, a fixed observation platform operated by UBB (for two components: aerosol remote sensing and cloud remote sensing).
c) RADO-Galați, a fixed observation platform operated by UDJG (for one component: cloud remote sensing).

• Compliance with Operational Obligations

The obligations of National and Central Facilities are outlined globally in the ACTRIS Technical and Scientific Description and detailed in Collaboration Agreements signed between ACTRIS ERIC and each facility. Compliance is verified annually by the Research Infrastructure Committee, which submits annual activity reports for approval to the ACTRIS ERIC General Assembly. These reports include details on costs, financial resources, personnel, certification status, key activities (access provision, implementation, operation of ongoing projects, planned developments), training, collaborations, and scientific publications.

• Increasing Scientific Visibility

Collaboration with prestigious international institutions such as the Finnish Meteorological Institute, University of Lille, and Paul Scherrer Institute will be encouraged to participate in European projects and publish relevant studies.

Expected Results

ER1. Strengthening the participation of consortium institutions in ACTRIS ERIC’s research agenda

ER1.1 Strengthening cooperation within ACTRIS-RO through project implementation

ER2. Developing and enhancing research and innovation capacities

ER2.1 Expanding the ACTRIS-RO team

ER3. Fulfilling Romania’s obligations as a founding member of ACTRIS ERIC

ER3.1 Meeting commitments for the Aerosol Remote Sensing Center

ER3.2 Meeting commitments for National Facilities

ER3.3 Meeting commitments through ERIC membership

ER4. Integration into the European and international research space

ER4.1 Participation in calibration and validation experiments for satellite missions (continuous action: EarthCARE, Sentinel-5P)

ER4.2 Attendance at international conferences and scientific events related to ACTRIS, depending on opportunities

ER5. Increasing scientific recognition at national and international levels

ER5.1 Enhancing visibility within the scientific community

ER5.2 Increasing societal awareness and recognition