Research infrastructures (RI)

• Current Process
  • Individual evaluation of the shortlisted projects
  • Published statements
  • Continuation of the process
• Previous evaluation processes for RIs

Current Process

In spring 2024, the German Science and Humanities Council (Wissenschaftsrat, WR) was asked by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), now the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), to carry out a science-driven assessment process for large RI projects, as part of a national prioritisation process.

Source: WR

Based on draft proposals, the RI projects were subjected to three parallel assessment strands: a science-driven assessment, an assessment of the potential for innovation and transfer, and an assessment of costs and risks. A mandated committee of the WR conducted the science-driven assessment of the projects. The BMFTR then consolidated the results of the three assessment strands into an overall assessment, and compiled a shortlist of the most promising RI projects.

Individual evaluation of the shortlisted projects

At the request of the BMFTR, the mandated committee will continue to individually evaluate the shortlisted projects. The aim of this evaluation is to formulate recommendations to the responsible institutions and the BMFTR regarding the further implementation of the projects. The evaluation focuses on the plans for the installation and operation of the RI, particularly with regard to its scientific potential, cost and risk planning, and its potential for innovation and transfer.

Additionally, the committee identifies scientific, technological and organisational milestones, as well as potential critical paths and risks associated with the implementation of the projects.

Working groups specifically constituted for this purpose draw up evaluation reports containing recommendations on the implementation of the projects. Based on these reports, the committee adopts science policy statements addressed to the responsible institutions and the BMFTR. The evaluation reports and statements are published upon completion of the individual evaluation.

Published statements

To date, statements have been published of the following projects:

Dresden Advanced Light Infrastructure (DALI)

High Brilliance Neutron Source – Phase I (HBS-I)

Large Enriched Germanium Experiment for Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay (LEGEND-1000)

The ultimate 4D X-ray Microscope (PETRA IV)

Research Infrastructure for Data from Large Online Platforms (RIDLOP)

Continuation of the process

At the request of the BMFTR, the WR has included the preparation of a potential further prioritisation process for large RI projects in its 2026/2027 work programme, modelled on the process initiated in 2024. If this process is to be continued, the WR will once again undertake the science-driven assessment of the submitted projects, as well as the subsequent individual evaluation of the shortlisted projects.

Additionally, where necessary, the WR has been asked to update the assessment of the projects from the 2024–2026 prioritisation process during their installation phase.

Previous evaluation processes for RIs

2001 – The WR was asked for the first time by the then BMBF to carry out a comparative evaluation of major scientific equipment for fundamental research in the natural sciences.

2011 – The WR was asked by the then BMBF to carry out a scientific evaluation of large RI; a committee was established and mandated to carry out this task independently.

2015 – At the request of the then BMBF, the WR initiated a further scientific evaluation of large RI; a committee was once again established and mandated to carry out this work independently.

Further information on the procedure can be found under "Organisation" and on the BMBF website at the following link.

Further documents of the research infrastructure procedures.