Our history
From the 2008 preparatory phase to EMSO ERIC today
History of the consortium
- 2008
Preparatory phase
A 4-year project (EMSO-PP) supported by the EC 7th Framework Program (FP7) and the ESFRI Roadmap, was aimed at creating the base for the foundation of EMSO Research Infrastructure. The main goal of EMSO-PP was to establish the legal and governance framework for the infrastructure serving scientists and other stakeholders within and outside Europe for long-term deep and shallow water observation and investigation.
- 2010
First Funding Agencies Representatives meeting
On the 25th and 26th of February 2010 the progress of the scientific community towards the realization of the EMSO research infrastructure was illustrated to the Funding Agencies of the interested Countries in Strasbourg at the European Science Foundation premises.
- 2012
Italian candidacy
In August, the Italian Ministry for Education and Research sends an official letter to all the funding agencies of EMSO-PP partners stating the willingness of Italy to host the Statutory Seat of the EMSO-ERIC (European Research Infrastructure Consortium).
- 2012
Italy commitment
Following August letter, in September Italy invites all the involved funding agencies to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) where the Countries will express their (legally non-binding) willingness to create EMSO-ERIC. Italy is the first signatory of this document.
- 2012
More signatories
From September to November six additional Countries sign the Memorandum of Understanding: United Kingdom (Natural Environment Research Council), Ireland (Irish Marine Institute), The Netherlands (NWO, Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research), Portugal, Greece and Romania.
- 2013
MoU completed
Following the signatures of France, Germany and Spain, as of February 2013, 10 countries have signed the Memorandum of Understanding: Italy, UK, Portugal, Romania, Greece, The Netherlands, Ireland, France, Germany, Spain. EMSO consortium is established even not legally recognized.
- 2013
ERIC application
On the 19th of December the EMSO consortium, with the participation of the respective Funding Agencies, submitted to the European Commission the Step 1 application for the creation of an ERIC (European Research Infrastructure Consortium). This is a fundamental step towards the establishment of a European legal entity that will manage the operation of fixed-point ocean observing systems at European Scale.
- 2014
Positive response
On the 22nd of April the European Commission issues the response to the Step 1 application for the establishment of the EMSO ERIC. The overall feedback is positive and the EMSO partnership proceeds with implementing the EC recommendations.
- 2016
ERIC foundation
On the 29th of September the European Commission grants the legal status of European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC).
- 2021
Norway joins the ERIC
From the 1st of January, The Kingdom of Norway is a member of the EMSO Consortium.