Advanced optical laser light sources and accelerator-based X-ray sources, as well as their technologies, scientific applications, and user communities, have developed independently over more than five decades. Driven by the developments at each optical laser and free-electron laser research infrastructures (RIs) in recent years, the gap between the optical laser and accelerator-driven light sources has diminished significantly. Both communities operate, implement, or plan advanced laser light source RIs, combining high-power optical and high-brightness X-ray light sources operated as dedicated user facilities. Operational and technical problems of these RIs have become very similar, if not identical. In specific cases, joint projects by the two communities have been initiated, but a closer and more structured collaboration of the corresponding communities and light sources is urgently required and shall be developed through this project. The present proposal for a European Cluster of Advanced Laser Light Sources (EUCALL) is the first attempt to create an all-embracing consortium of all (optical and X-ray) advanced laser light source RIs in Europe. Besides addressing the most urgent technical challenges, EUCALL will develop and implement cross-cutting services for photon-oriented ESFRI projects, will optimize the use of advanced laser light sources in Europe by efficient cross-community resource management, will enhance interoperability of the two types of light sources, will ensure global competitiveness, and will stimulate and support common long-term strategies and research policies for the application of laser-like short-wavelength radiation in science and innovation. The EUCALL consortium includes the three ESFRI projects ELI, European XFEL, and ESRF(up), several national RIs, and the LASERLAB-EUROPE and FELs OF EUROPE networks as representatives for the nationally operated optical laser and free-electron laser RIs.

This CREMLIN proposal is to foster scientific cooperation between the Russian Federation and the European Union in the development and scientific exploitation of large-scale research infrastructures. It has been triggered by the recent so-called megascience projects initiative launched by and in the Russian Federation which is now very actively seeking European integration. The proposed megascience facilities have an enormous potential for the international scientific communities and represent a unique opportunity for the EU to engage in a strong collaborative framework with the Russian Federation. The CREMLIN proposal is a first and path finding step to identify, build and enhance scientific cooperation and strong enduring networks between European research infrastructures and the corresponding megascience facilities to maximize scientific returns. The proposal follows the specific recommendations of an EC Expert Group by devising concrete coordination and support measures for each megascience facility and by developing common best practice and policies on internationalisation and opening. CREMLIN will thus effectively contribute to better connect Russian RIs to the European Research Area.

CERIC-ERIC (CERIC) is a distributed research infrastructure for fundamental and applied research on novel materials and biomaterials. The RI has been in operation for 2 years and provides open access to a broad range of instruments and expertise across research communities, in order to support the research community world-wide in tackling the most challenging problems of materials research. The ACCELERATE project is proposed to support CERIC sustainability through activities of collaborative development of policies with other research infrastructures (RIs), in particular new and forming ERIC entities. ACCELERATE will assist sustainability, relevance and effectiveness of the RI through preparation of frameworks for services to private and public entities, outreach to new scientific and industrial networks and geographical areas and a methodology for RI social impact assessment. Together with the RI partners CERIC will also carry out several intense courses for development of future RI managerial, IL and TT staff. The project will be carried out while maintaining vigorous communication with research and industrial communities, policy makers, EC administration and other RI stakeholders.

The project took place in the context of large laser infrastructures, some under developments and some already operational at several sites across Europe. The Extreme Light Infrastructures (ELI) all rely on state of the art ultra-high intensity laser technologies. Three locations, namely Prague in the Czech republic (ELI-Beamlines), Szeged in Hungary (ELI-Alps) and Bucarest in Romania (ELI-NP) have been designated to welcome these unique and complementary centers to be constructed and operated as facilities for the scientific and private community with an investment volume exceeding 850 M€. A fourth infrastructure (Apollon) of the same type as the ELI centers is also being developed in Paris at Ecole Polytechnique. The design, construction and operation of these large-scale laser infrastructures require highly educated personnel in various domains. We evaluate that each site has to recruit technical human resources among technicians, engineers and researchers. Altogether, the need for high level skills represent a pool of 500 to 600 people. Additionally, the laser sources and beam lines will be delivered through public procurement either partly or entirely by private companies mainly originating from the EU. The supplemental industrial workload generated by the ELI programs will require companies to hiring several hundreds of specifically trained employees. On top of that, European laser facilities already operational experience turnover which target the same pool of trained professionals. Each country in the EU proposes standard curricula covering optics, lasers and photonics aimed at educating a rather stable flow of students. However, the sudden need engendered by the ELI programs exceeds the training potential of our nations in these specific topics. Even if we setup an emergency program at several universities, it will still take at least 8 years to train a high school student at a doctoral level. We are therefore facing an extended skill deficit that might endanger the actual implementation of these large-scale infrastructures. It was the aim of this project to bring together strategic partners able to propose short-term solutions covering the immediate needs identified by the consortium. The consortium has been naturally created with partners experiencing the skills deficit (5 major laser facilities) and 5 partners experts in education, training and innovative pedagogical techniques (Universities, training center, ‘serious games’ company). The main objective of the project was to mitigate the above mentioned massive skills shortage in a time scale compatible with the infrastructures roadmap. As a first priority, we have to develop a global laser safety program that is applicable in each facility and in each country. An additional laser-based nuclear radiation safety program was also elaborated. Beyond the personnel safety, the partners had identified a large deficit in skills and knowledge about optics, lasers, photonics and associated technologies. We therefore have implemented a pedagogical approach that has been never used so far in laser and optics education (we are not aware of a similar approach in other domain either) and trained students and professionals at the highest level in very short terms. The safety programs development consisted in building curricula at 3 different levels (Laser Safety Officer, users and non-users). The challenge here is to come up with a program that is compliant with national workers law and labor codes in the perspective to obtain certification at the European level. The revolutionary approach we developed here was implemented in the context of topical education in optics, lasers and photonics. Our pedagogical concept uses information technologies. Two types of actions were considered. We developed a library of small programs aiming at simulating complex physical effects occurring in laser or optical devices significantly easing the understanding of the underlying physics. We also used advanced technologies of video games for educational purposes and developed a complete training tool. In our concept, the trainee is immersed in a virtual 3D laboratory (Oculus mask) where he has to build, test or align optical or laser devices. Augmented reality helps him learn complex alignment procedures by explaining, on demand, the properties and uses of these components. The 7 trainings created consisted in teaching attendees advanced concepts using either the propagation software or the 3D virtual reality laser lab. Beyond the partial mitigation of the partner’s skill deficit, we have organized a dissemination strategy able to impact a larger audience with the tools developed in this project. We are confident on the fact that the innovation proposed here and in particular the virtual reality approach will generate novel ideas and lead to the submission of new proposals.

While the implementation of the “Extreme Light Infrastructure” ELI is nearing completion in Czech Republic, Hungary and Romania, its remaining goal is to create the necessary conditions for the future operation as a single, distributed international laser user facility of pan-European dimension. The scope of the present ELITRANS project is to complement the final implementation stage by preparing and undertaking the transformation from three legally (but not conceptually) independent construction projects towards operation as a single international legal entity, ELI-ERIC. The main objectives are: • Conceptual Design of the future ELI-ERIC’s “Business Model”: essential elements of the future ELI-ERIC organization, financing, governance and international integration • Preparing ELI-ERIC’s “Business Plan”: development of concepts adapted to the operation as the world’s first international laser user facility • Managing the transition from Structural Funds supported implementation towards ERIC-funded operation: merging the three facilities into one unified internal structure, developing a corporate identity, strengthening user relations, developing the scientific profile, international visibility and leadership The proposed actions are structured in eleven Work Packages. They cover the majority of activities considered necessary by the Commission for a successful implementation of ESFRI projects, and take into account specific recommendations by the ESFRI Assessment Expert Group. The objectives shall be achieved through concepts jointly developed with European and international partner facilities, and world-leading e-infrastructures.