EU ministers pushed to back long-term infrastructure funding

Draft document from Czech presidency of Council of the EU also suggests unifying bloc’s facilities

A long-term political commitment for spending on research infrastructures is needed from EU member states and the European Commission, according to a draft document from the Czech presidency of the Council of the EU.

Ranging from vast particle accelerators to big-data projects in social science, infrastructures are an increasingly vital part of modern research. But they are also increasingly expensive and can struggle to secure the long-term support required for their construction and operation.