AFFIRMO Project Supports European Commission’s Vision for Future Research and Technology Infrastructures
- 14 May 2025
The European commission has recently launched a valuable opportunity through a call for evidence, inviting researchers, industry leaders and innovators to share their insights and collaborate to shape the future European strategy for research and technology infrastructure.
This initiative is especially relevant to projects like AFFIRMO, since the strategy will help build stronger foundations for research addressing complex, chronic conditions like AF. It aims to enable better access to integrated health data, cutting-edge AI tools, and cross-border collaboration—key components in advancing holistic, personalized care models for older adults with multiple conditions.
More specifically, the strategy will focus on two main pillars: the research infrastructure and technology infrastructure. These two fields are considered to play a significant role for driving scientific excellence, boosting industrial competitiveness, fostering groundbreaking research and supporting technological advancement, all contributing to a stronger and steady EU leadership. The initiatives also seek to guarantee that all relevant actors in these fields benefit from open and accessible access to all kind of new cutting-edge facilities. Furthermore, the strategy is part of the commissions key priority of supporting a green and digital transition and aims at:
- strengthening sustainability and accessibility of infrastructures
- promote cross border collaborations
- maximize the potential of digitalization and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- improve overall conditions for the users
- reduce fragmentation of the research and innovation ecosystem
- support innovative startups and scaleups
- ensure long term sustainability for both research and technological ecosystem
The vision of AFFIRMO resonates deeply with the European Commission’s priorities. By integrating clinical, technological, and social perspectives, AFFIRMO demonstrates how infrastructures can support holistic patient care, particularly for vulnerable ageing populations facing multiple chronic conditions.
As highlighted by numerous reports, including the Draghi report on EU competitiveness, the EU needs a substantial boost in competitiveness. This is particularly the case in a moving and shaking global economy, where Europe needs a clear roadmap for its economic future. In the coming years, to maintain the competitiveness of Europe, the Commission will invest more and more resources in research and innovation, recognizing the contribution of both to securing and improving Europe’s position in research, innovation, and industrial ecosystems. This is particularly evident by the vision of the forthcoming European Strategy on Research and Technology Infrastructures.
However, some challenges persist, such as isolation, regional disparities, budgetary constraint and global uncertainty increasingly limiting development, operation, and accessibility. The new strategy aims to address this by enhancing their complementarity and service offering, while promoting coordinated and prioritized investments to boost capacity and reduce risks and costs.
The call for evidence is open until 22 May 2025 and it is available in all official EU languages. AFFIRMO encourages all stakeholders, researchers, institutions, and innovators to contribute and help shape a more inclusive, connected, and future-ready research infrastructure landscape in Europe.
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