Euro-BioImaging Business Plan

Transcription

1 European Research Infrastructure for Imaging Technologies in Biological and Biomedical Sciences Euro-BioImaging Business Plan Recommendation from the Euro-BioImaging Preparatory Phase Access I Training I Service

2 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY EURO-BIOIMAGING EMPOWERING EUROPE TO LEAD THE REVOLUTION IN IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES Seeing the Invisible The Need for Euro-BioImaging Urgently needed access Euro-BioImaging provides solutions EURO-BIOIMAGING THE SERVICE PROVIDER Open Access to Cutting-Edge Instruments and Expertise Training Data Management Tools for image processing Common repositories and image data storage Cloud compute services Linking image and molecular data Quality Management THE EURO-BIOIMAGING INFRASTRUCTURE MODEL The Euro-BioImaging Hub Coordination and Support Activities The Euro-BioImaging Nodes Selection of the Nodes Technologies offered at the Nodes User Access Policy Governance Structure Euro-BioImaging Board Executive Management Offi ce Community Specifi c Sections Scientifi c Advisory Board The Stakeholder and User Forum Legal Structure Relationship between the Euro-BioImaging Hub and Technology Nodes The infrastructure legal model... 37

3 5 EURO-BIOIMAGING FINANCE AND COST PLAN Finance and Cost Plan for Euro-BioImaging Nodes Data source for construction and operation costs of Euro-BioImaging Nodes Euro-BioImaging Nodes construction Euro-BioImaging Nodes operation Upgrade of Euro-BioImaging Nodes after several years of operation Finance and Cost Plan for Euro-BioImaging Hub Euro-BioImaging Hub construction Operation of Euro-BioImaging Hub EURO-BIOIMAGING IMPACT AND OUTREACH Euro-BioImaging Impact Scientifi c impact Economic impact Societal impact Euro-BioImaging impact to date Euro-BioImaging The Outreach Platform Euro-BioImaging contributes towards overcoming the fragmentation of imaging communities in Europe Collaboration with other ESFRI Biological and Medical Sciences Research Infrastructures Collaboration with imaging research infrastructures in the global landscape 60 7 ROADMAP TO IMPLEMENTATION Results Achieved by End of Preparatory Phase (May 2014) Euro-BioImaging Interim Board: the Decision-Making Body During Interim Phase Interim Board: Tasks and Timelines SWOT ANALYSIS ANNEX Euro-BioImaging Preparatory Phase List of Legal Partners Members of Independent Evaluation Board Publications Supported by the Proof-of-Concept Studies in

4 4 I Euro-BioImaging Business Plan 1 Executive Summary The ESFRI research infrastructure Euro-BioImaging will provide open user access to a complete range of state-of-the-art imaging technologies in biological, molecular and medical imaging for life scientists in Europe and beyond. Euro-BioImaging will offer image data support and training for infrastructure users and providers and continuously evaluate and include new imaging technologies to ensure cutting-edge services in a sustainable manner. Through Euro-BioImaging, investment in imaging infrastructure will be used in the most cost-effective and efficient way by applying the highest quality standards in management, open user access and service of imaging facilities. The Euro-BioImaging infrastructure will consist of a set of complementary, strongly interlinked and geographically distributed Nodes (specialized and knowledgeable imaging facilities) to reach European scientists in all Member States. The physical user access will take place at these Nodes. The pan-european infrastructure will be empowered by a strong supporting and coordinating entity, the Euro-BioImaging Hub. The Hub will provide the single entry point from which users will be directed to their desired imaging technology as served by the respective Euro-BioImaging Nodes. Within the Hub, dedicated data management and training activities tailored to the needs of users of the imaging infrastructure will be coordinated. During the Preparatory Phase ( ), Euro-BioImaging has conducted extensive consultation with the European scientific communities of imaging providers and users, gained support by 3000 Stakeholders, extensively analysed supply and demand of the imaging technologies in Europe, successfully demonstrated technical feasibility of its operational model in a six months proof-of-concept phase, has identified and evaluated possible Nodes in European States and has now finalized recommendations for the infrastructure model, governance structure and finance plan.

5 Euro-BioImaging Business Plan I 5 Euro-BioImaging has initiated and supported the establishment of 23 national imaging initiatives across Europe that are coordinating imaging infrastructure activities at the national level, enabling better use of their capacities and speak to their national funders with one voice. Furthermore, Euro-BioImaging is in close communication with the European imaging industry, and the Euro-BioImaging Industry Board already comprises more than 50 companies. In the past years, vibrant international co-operations were established with Australian and Indian national imaging infrastructure organisations, fostering exchange of knowledge and best practice principles. In the 1 st Open Call for Euro-BioImaging Nodes, more than 220 imaging facilities from 19 different European countries submitted 71 applications for expressing their interest to become part of Euro-BioImaging. The Interim Board comprising 12 countries and EMBL (status May 2014) will take the decision on the first generation of Nodes, and the future infrastructure governance, legal and finance model. This business plan describes the Preparatory Phase recommendations for the infrastructure model of Euro-BioImaging, which is on a fast track to implementation.

6 6 I Euro-BioImaging Empowering Europe to Lead the Revolution in Imaging Technologies 2 Euro-BioImaging Empowering Europe to Lead the Revolution in Imaging Technologies 2.1 Seeing the Invisible 70% of highimpact bioscience publications rely on advanced light microscopy techniques Visualizing cells and tissues by light and electron microscopy has led to more discoveries than any other technology in biomedical sciences. Nowadays this is more true than ever. The last 15 years witnessed a revolution in imaging resulting in development of technologies that allow biological and medical scientists to visualize, characterize and measure molecular and cellular functions with a precision never reached before. Imaging became so central to today s biomedical discoveries, that more than 70% of all high-impact biosciences publications rely on advanced light microscopy techniques and the number of scientific discoveries based on imaging technologies has increased significantly over time (Figure 2.1). Such high usage stimulates additional advancement in technology development, pushing the frontiers forward and making imaging technologies central for the life sciences and biological and medical research. This revolution is opening new horizons for biomedical scientists. Medical diagnosis and patient treatment is increasingly relying on imaging, using a large number of different and cutting-edge technologies for creating images from the molecular and cellular levels on to integrated biological tissues and beyond to organs and whole body systems or even to patient populations. In biological sciences, major discoveries are increasingly made using innovative imaging techniques. The ability to observe molecules with nanometer resolution by light microscopy enables us to directly see how the molecular machines carry out the basic functions of life and disease, giving us the power to understand and intervene rationally. By integrating structural and cell biology with molecular specificity and resolution, we can for the first time in history visualize the molecular basis of human disease, including tumorigenesis, or Alzheimer s disease in living cells and tissues in real time. This allows direct translation of basic biological discoveries in cells into animal models of human disease and finally into patient care. Understanding health and disease mechanisms in humans depends on further development of non-invasive imaging technologies but even more it requires knowledge of molecular processes that are involved in physiological and anatomical changes that occur in disease and the further development of ways to visualize them. Hence, biological, physical and chemical sciences are directly linked and inseparable from the use of imaging technologies for the benefits of health research, diagnosis and patient care. Only by investing in all of the important imaging technologies and by bringing them together, can we fully exploit their potential, best interpret the imaging data and bring new research findings to the patient for the benefit of society, advances in healthcare and quality of life.

7 Euro-BioImaging Empowering Europe to Lead the Revolution in Imaging Technologies I 7 Advanced Light Microscopy Innovative Medical Imaging Number of publications Number of publications Year Year Innovative Biological Imaging Molecular Imaging Number of publications Number of publications Year Year Figure 2.1: Number of references in the PubMed database indexed with the names of technologies offered by Euro-BioImaging in publication years indicated (searched on GoPubMed.org, March 25, 2013). Number of publications on the vertical axis. Advanced Light Microscopy was used in over publications in Innovative medical imaging, innovative biological imaging and molecular imaging were each used in almost publications a year. Advanced Light Microscopy included Spinning Disc Confocal imaging, Laser Scanning Confocal imaging, Deconvolution Widefi eld Microscopy, Multiphoton Systems, Total Internal Refl ection Fluorescence Microscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Imaging, Electron Microscopy and Correlative Light-Electron Microscopy. Innovative biological imaging included Functional Imaging (FCS, FCCS, FLIM, FRET, FRAP, Raman Spectroscopy), High-Throughput Microscopy, Mesoscopic Imaging (SPIM, OPT, DSLM, OCPI) Super Resolution Microscopy (STED, PALM, STORM, RESOLFT, GSD, GSDIM, 4Pi). Molecular imaging included micro PET/CT, micro SPECT/CT, micro MRI/MRS, micro CT, micro US, Optical Imaging. Innovative medical imaging included High-Field MRI, Phase Contrast Imaging, MRI-PET and Population Imaging.

8 8 I Euro-BioImaging Empowering Europe to Lead the Revolution in Imaging Technologies 2.2 The Need for Euro-BioImaging Urgently needed access Currently, the best imaging technologies are only available to very few of the approximately European life scientists 1 while most of them are currently excluded from the imaging revolution (see Euro-BioImaging Survey 2 ). These restrictions can rapidly cause Europe to lose its lead and competitiveness in imaging-based research and imaging technology development unless concerted action is taken. Access to imaging technologies in Europe is highly required 1,500-2,000 user requests are expected in the first year of operation Most of the researchers have access only to their local imaging research infrastructure hosted by their university, research institute, hospitals etc. These institutions can provide access to a very limited range of technologies, because they can simply not afford to purchase and maintain a broad range of cutting-edge instruments, especially in times of budget cuts and restrictions. In addition, the degree of sophistication of the innovative technologies and their instrumentation is often such that highly specialized expertise is required to effi ciently and successfully operate and analyse the resulting image data and it is no longer possible that every user acquires suffi cient in-depth expertise of all techniques that have become available. Even when technologies and expertise are accessible at other European institutions, currently these facilities by far do not have the capacity to host a signifi cant number of external users. As a consequence, the currently existing local imaging infrastructure in European countries does not exploit the full potential of these technologies. Such signifi cant unmet need was resoundingly confi rmed by the results of the Euro- BioImaging Survey 2 and Proof of Concept Studies (see Boxes 1 and 2). Thousands of researchers from Europe have already contacted Euro-BioImaging requesting access to imaging technologies and the expert support necessary to apply these technologies most effectively to answer their research questions. At least 1,500-2,000 user requests are expected in the fi rst year of operation 3. Only the user community targeted by ELIXIR the pan-european research infrastructure for bioinformatics has a larger size. Implementing Euro-BioImaging as a shared European infrastructure that provides open access to imaging technologies is therefore urgently needed for Europe s life sciences to stay internationally competitive. The main reasons leading to lack of access are: 1. high costs of the required technology 2. high level of expertise required for using the technology 3. insuffi cient capacity of existing imaging facilities to host external users 4. new technologies or major advances occur every 2-3 years requiring new instrument acquisition 1 Number of life scientists in 27 EU countries working in academia and industry extrapolated from Europe in fi gures Eurostat yearbook 2012: Science and technology, page The complete survey results are available in the strategic summary of the survey published on: fi les/outcome%20of%20survey%20(sim)_1.pdf 3 Based on the Proof-of-Concept Studies from 2012 and the 1 st Call for Nodes from 2013

9 Euro-BioImaging Empowering Europe to Lead the Revolution in Imaging Technologies I 9 Box 1 Euro-BioImaging Survey of Imaging Technology Supplies and Demand Euro-BioImaging performed a survey on imaging research infrastructure demands and supplies (conducted from June 1 st until July 15 th, 2011) and collected replies from 660 participants (imaging infrastructure providers, users, funders and industry). Main outcomes of the Survey: ACCESS 1. Many biological and medical imaging technologies are requested by European scientists in the future. Most of these are innovative technologies developed during the last 5-15 years. 2. Most imaging facilities do not provide national and/or international external access above 10% of their capacity. New imaging facilities with open access are requested. 3. In biological imaging, external access capacities are lowest for multi-photon systems and correlative light and electron microscopy. In medical imaging, external access is not provided for MR-PET and is low for intra-operative imaging for image-guided therapy, and 7T MRI. 4. More than 60% of biological and medical scientists are willing to travel to access innovative imaging technologies % of users clearly prefer free access models, but 30% of users are willing to pay for running costs when using a facility. SERVICE 1. Both biological and medical scientists request instruments, technical support, training, wet lab space and support for data processing and analysis. Existing facilities provide these resources to their internal users. 2. Users often require high level of technical support, training and data management. TRAINING 1. 75% of respondents have high interest in training activities, followed by a signifi cant request for training activities on advanced level % of participants request a centralized, standardized and quality controlled repository of training activities and materials.

10 10 I Euro-BioImaging Empowering Europe to Lead the Revolution in Imaging Technologies Box 2 Euro-BioImaging Proof-of-Concept Studies Euro-BioImaging performed a series of Proof-of-Concept Studies (PCS)14 in 2012 to test its infrastructure and service model, its strengths and weaknesses, refine standardized execution and access protocols and show that distributed infrastructure offering open access could boost European life science research. Scientists from the PhD student up to senior researcher level applied to use imaging technologies at one of the 63 participating imaging facilities across Europe. In total, 228 researchers from 25 European countries and abroad (USA, India, Australia, Singapore) submitted project proposals. Finally, 110 user projects were accepted and conducted at 41 imaging facilities located in 14 European countries. 32 projects have already been published in peer reviewed journals. The major results of the PCS demonstrate that: 1. The Euro-BioImaging operational and access model works and allows scientists to perform successful experiments at external facilities. 2. The unmet need is significant and a strong motivator for scientists to travel to an unfamiliar facility to conduct their experiment. In total, more than 60% of all PCS users applied for transnational access, 89% left their hometown for obtaining access (see Figure 2.2). Over 70% of visiting scientists rate the validity of the obtained results to be very good to excellent for publication, and over 90% state that the benefit was worth the effort of travelling % of users would make use of Euro-BioImaging open access facilities in the future % of the participating facilities would offer open access in the future, a significant part of them requiring capacity upgrade for this. 5. The staff efforts for user management, sample-preparation and hands-on user training were in most cases much higher than anticipated. For providing external access in the future, additional service staff is needed. 4 Please see deliverables D6.5, D7.7, D8.7, D8.8, D9.6, D10.6 on for detailed information on PCS. Figure 2.2: Travel routes of PCS users Euro-BioImaging Proof-of- Concept Studies show strong transnational component in the access to innovative imaging technology platforms.

11 Euro-BioImaging Empowering Europe to Lead the Revolution in Imaging Technologies I Euro-BioImaging provides solutions Euro-BioImaging will address this huge demand for access by creating a pan-european, integrated and harmonized research infrastructure offering open access to the full range of required cutting-edge imaging technologies, expertise, service and training for every biological and medical scientist in Europe. The infrastructure will consist of a number of Nodes the world-class imaging centres distributed across Europe that will be openly accessible to all life scientists based on scientific merit. This will directly support, accelerate and integrate cutting-edge research in the European Research Area and protect Europe s competitiveness. The Euro-BioImaging model provides the solution to the lack of access: Especially in times of financial austerity, Euro-BioImaging provides the best solution for open access to a complete range of cutting-edge technologies by enabling its Member States to share resources and reduce the costs of deployment, addressing the issue of the high costs of the innovative imaging technologies. Furthermore, Euro-BioImaging will maximally leverage already existing infrastructure during its deployment thereby maximizing cost effectiveness. Euro-BioImaging Nodes will be the centres of high-level expertise which will be provided to all visiting researchers. Euro-BioImaging offers itself as an ideal platform to tackle the standardized and high quality education of tomorrow s scientists in applying advanced imaging technologies, which is one of the big challenges in biology and medicine. The lack of capacity to host external users will be solved by investing in selected imaging facilities of European excellence and importance, allowing them to host, train and provide service to external researchers. The increasing need for data storage and processing solutions will be met in a coordinated fashion, allowing easy data access and sharing and promoting standardisation of data formats. The Euro-BioImaging preparatory work demonstrated that its infrastructure model is fully operational in 110 Proof-of-Concept Studies, that delivered rapid publication of high-impact scientific results (over 54 publications, submitted manuscripts and papers in preparation within a year). It also impressively documented the strong need for imaging technologies and expert support. Finally, Euro-BioImaging has a solid and thorough finance plan provided by over 70 facilities from 19 European countries and a realistic estimate of its user volume provided by 2,200 research proposals of future users from academia and industry. Through Euro-BioImaging countries can share the costs of cutting-edge technology deployment. Euro-BioImaging Nodes will be the centres of highlevel expertise in imaging technologies which will be provided to European researchers The Euro-BioImaging infrastructure model delivers rapid publications The Euro-BioImaging infrastructure model is therefore mature and tested and ready for implementation. The currently still fragmented and non-coordinated imaging platforms in European countries cannot address the ever increasing user demand and additionally are often not in the position to exploit the full potential of these technologies. No single European country can operate facilities offering services to all existing and new imaging technologies used in the life sciences at the cutting-edge. The Euro-BioImaging model of open infrastructure works successfully and can alleviate this problem to satisfy the existing need of European scientists.

12 12 I Euro-BioImaging The Service Provider 3 Euro-BioImaging The Service Provider Euro-BioImaging will be a distributed research infrastructure and provide open user access to a complete range of state-of-the-art imaging technologies in biological, molecular and medical imaging for life scientists in Europe and beyond Euro-BioImaging will enable all European researchers to access and benefit from innovative biological and medical imaging technologies, expert service and training essential for performing cutting-edge research. The comprehensive services Euro-BioImaging will provide are: Open physical access to imaging infrastructure (Chapter 3.1) Advanced expertise and services for technology users (Chapter 3.1) Training of technology users (Chapter 3.2) Advanced training of facility staff/technology experts (Chapter 3.2) Data analysis support for user image data (Chapter 3.3) Data storage capacities for user image data (Chapter 3.3) Open access to data of public interest (Chapter 3.3) High-quality control standards of its services (Chapter 3.4) European-level coordination and integration activities for its scientific communities (Chapter 6). Euro-BioImaging will offer its unique services in an integrated and coordinated manner via a single web-entry point for users for fi rst contact and consultation. The Euro- BioImaging target audiences will be on a European scale and will include: Scientific users from universities and research institutes in Europe Providers of imaging research infrastructure (imaging facility staff) Industry users and vendors/developers of imaging technologies. Technology users and providers will be connected through Euro-BioImaging Euro-BioImaging will continuously evaluate and include new imaging technologies and related services in its offerings. With Euro-BioImaging in place, Europe will ensure provision of cutting-edge imaging services in a sustainable and in the most cost-effective manner and application of the highest quality standards in management, access and service of its Nodes.

13 Euro-BioImaging The Service Provider I Open Access to Cutting-Edge Instruments and Expertise Euro-BioImaging will provide open access for external users to a complete range of state-of-the-art imaging technologies stretching from basic biological imaging in cells and tissues to in vivo molecular imaging in animal models and medical imaging of human patients and populations. Therefore, the planned Euro-BioImaging infrastructure will consist of a number of distributed Nodes (specialized and knowledgeable imaging facilities) which will offer those imaging technology(ies) for which they are the Europe-leading experts. The Nodes capacity will be upgraded to host external users and they will offer open access to at least 50% of the newly created capacity for Euro-BioImaging users. The fi rst generation of Euro-BioImaging Nodes will offer access to the technologies that are currently most requested in Europe and are mature enough to be successfully offered to an inexperienced external user. These include the technologies validated by the Euro-BioImaging Proof-of-Concept Studies or alternative means45, all of which have been applied for and evaluated in the fi rst open call for Nodes5 6. In addition to access to cutting-edge imaging instruments, Nodes will provide all required resources including technical assistance, support for project planning, additionally required instrumentation, animal facilities, wet lab space, server space, user accommodation, etc. Consultation and expertise by high-level trained experts in the fi eld will be provided during all stages of the user project. Details on the Euro- BioImaging infrastructure model are presented in Chapter 4. Researchers at any stage of their career can request access to the Euro-BioImaging Nodes by submitting their proposal for a project, which they would like to conduct at the Node. Access to Euro-BioImaging Nodes will be granted based principally on the scientifi c merit of submitted project descriptions (see user access policy in Chapter 4.3). The access to the Nodes and technologies they are providing will be coordinated by the Euro-BioImaging Hub, ensuring a consistent level of service provided to the Euro- BioImaging users. The Hub will be the single point of entry with regard to all information relevant for future users, e.g. presentation of each Node, information on offered technologies, access to data repository, data management software and guidelines for user support. The Hub will provide a central consultation point, which will help future users to identify the most suitable technology and Node for their particular research purpose. The 5 Instead of PCS, for population-based imaging and data infrastructure-challenges framework alternative means were applied. 6 Please see deliverables D6.5, D7.7, D8.7, D8.8, D9.6, D10.6 on for detailed information on PCS.

14 14 I Euro-BioImaging The Service Provider Hub will also run a central web access portal, which will be used by all prospective users to apply for access. The Hub will coordinate the independent scientifi c evaluation of the research projects that are submitted, and only scientifi cally feasible proposals will be forwarded to Nodes. Nodes will then decide on their technical feasibility and after approval invite the user to access their facility. If not feasible, the Node can recommend other Euro-BioImaging Nodes offering different technology(ies) and expertise which may be more suitable. Euro-BioImaging will run regular quality assurance activities among its Nodes and independent evaluation by its Scientifi c Advisory Board, and only facilities with a high-quality level of services provided to the user will keep the Euro-BioImaging quality seal and the status of a Euro-BioImaging Node (see Chapter 3.4 Quality Management). Euro-BioImaging HUB coordination & support of access, data, training European infrastructure management Flagship Technology NODES offer an innovative technology at European leading level Multimodal Technology NODES provide exellence by integration of multiple imaging technologies at one site Figure 3.1: Euro-BioImaging model of distributed research infrastructure consisting of a single Euro-BioImaging Hub and a number of imaging facilities called Euro-BioImaging Nodes.

15 Euro-BioImaging The Service Provider I Training The ultimate yield and impact of research using imaging technologies is determined by expert operators. Because the users lack specific technology knowledge, standardized training and technical support by highly specialized staff will be provided by Euro-BioImaging. Euro-BioImaging will coordinate and support several levels of training, becoming a one-stop shop for the imaging community`s needs for advanced training. By having Europe s best imaging experts under the roof of its Nodes, Euro- BioImaging can offer training of the highest quality. The training strategy focuses on current and future users (Master and PhD students, post-graduates, senior scientists, technicians) as well as on staff of the imaging facilities across Europe and is divided into three pillars67 : Training will be offered for Euro-BioImaging users, imaging facility staff and general scientific audience a user training programme incorporated in the Euro-BioImaging open access procedure (hands-on-training for use of instruments designed to bring each user to the level required to use the technology, successfully perform experiments at the Node and analyse results). a system for training of the imaging facilities staff ( train the trainer e.g. in facility management, or advanced scientific courses, which will help to educate a new generation of imaging experts, a group which is becoming under-represented in Europe, following the recent revolution in imaging technologies). general training for a broad scientific audience covering all training aspects related to imaging (e.g. regular courses on specific imaging modalities, online training courses, and online repository of training material78, summer schools etc.). 7 Please see deliverable D13.2 and D13.3 on for detailed information on training. 8 The online repository be done in collaboration with the IMI initiative EMTRAIN ( Target Group Euro-BioImaging Service Added Value User Instant access to cuttingedge imaging technologies Support of the user by highlevel trained staff Single point of access to Nodes, technologies, and other relevant information via web-based portal Central contact point for consultation of potential user New and competitive research will be enabled by open access to technologies not available at user s home institution, leading to new results and research in new fields, and increase of high-impact publications by European scientists Optimized planning of research projects, at all stages enabling highest-quality results in short time frame and ensuring most efficient return on investment of time and financial resources One-Stop-Shop eases orientation in European imaging landscape, reduces administrative burden in application process, allows for transparency and quality control of access Identification of most appropriate imaging technology and facility helps to get best service and to enable best research, profound consultation due to full overview of access possibilities

16 16 I Euro-BioImaging The Service Provider Target Group Euro-BioImaging Service Added Value Provider Industry User Web-access portal: Central user registration and administration Scientific evaluation of user proposal coordinated by hub Quality management and assurance ( quality seal ) European-level communication and collaboration activities Access to network of imaging initiatives User visits at Node Instant access to cutting-edge imaging technologies combined with high-level expertise to internal users Instant access to cutting-edge imaging technologies combined with high-level expertise Reduces administrative overhead for provider Node receives only proposals which are scientifically feasible Strengthens position of the Node in European research landscape, can have positive effect on future funding decisions Increase of visibility of the Node in European science communities Exchange of best practice, technical knowhow and experience; new and sustainable funding opportunities due to network activities Users bring new research ideas and projects, new challenges, and collaborations; boost of own science at the Node, development of demand-driven new applications of imaging technology (together with Industry), increase of international visibility, attract high-qualified scientists Opening new research and development opportunities without time-delay, boost Node s own research projects, increase of competitiveness New and competitive research will be enabled by access to imaging technologies not available at the company, leading to new results, inventions, pharmaceutical products, and therewith increases competitiveness of the company

17 Euro-BioImaging The Service Provider I 17 Target Group Euro-BioImaging Service Added Value Industry Imaging technology manufacturer Mining and Identification of User Needs Information on current and future user requirements enhances development and commercialization of new demand-driven technologies and applications and increases competitiveness Access to the best expertise in imaging technologies in Europe Valuable input to develop the next generation of imaging instruments Node as test facility for new technologies Offering infrastructure, real scientific work environment and educated beta users for testing cutting-edge equipment optimizes the product development (success) Continuous collaboration and communication with Nodes and users Pipeline for commercialization of new technology developments, including early user access and timely evaluation of market potential, thereby accelerating innovation. Table 3.1: Services Euro-BioImaging is providing to different target groups, supporting the access to imaging technologies. Target Group Euro-BioImaging Service Added Value User Provider Industry Imaging technology manufacturer Access to standardized and high-quality training (courses, seminars, methodologies, hands-on training) and e-repository of electronic training activities and materials Access to standardized and highquality training (courses, seminars, methodologies, hands-on training) for providers and e-repository of electronic training activities and materials Coordination of common training programmes with industry at the European level Increase in expertise, opening of new research fields to users, reproducible data acquisition and analysis leading to increase of high-impact publications Increase in expertise and quality of facility operation Facility staff and user training with most recently developed instruments. Opening these programs also to the new European Member States and Associated Countries ( new markets ) Table 3.2: Services Euro-BioImaging is providing to different target groups supporting training activities.

18 18 I Euro-BioImaging The Service Provider 3.3 Data Management Imaging data will create the largest volume of data in the future of the life sciences. In biological imaging, technologies such as multi-dimensional fl uorescence or high-content screening are becoming standard approaches to reveal fundamental biological mechanisms that explain human physiology and disease. Datasets produced by these technologies are routinely 10s to 100s of GBs, and in some cases, many TB s. In this new age, processing, storing, analysing and sharing of image data based on conventional desktop-base solutions simply is no longer possible. Euro-BioImaging plans to offer image data services (presented in detail in Table 3.3) including: Data storage and support for data management, analysis and processing from users experiments/projects (service offered by Nodes) Access to tools for image processing (service offered by Hub) Common repositories for reference image data for sharing and re-use (service offered by Hub) Access to academically owned cloud storage and compute services (service offered by Hub). European life scientists as users HUB HUB Web-access portal provides virtual access Image Data Storage and Analysis Image Processing Repository of user friendly and interoperable software tools Image Data Repository Common repository for reference image data for sharing and re-use Cloud Compute Access to academically owned cloud storage and compute service User goes home with results for publication Figure 3.3: Image data services offered by Euro-BioImaging.

19 Euro-BioImaging The Service Provider I Tools for image processing Euro-BioImaging aims to create a common European repository of standardized and quality controlled tools for image data processing and analysis. The purpose of the repository is to provide support to scientists for image data management and analysis. Such a tool repository will include: Community-developed open source desktop image processing platforms (e.g. ImageJ, Fiji, Icy, BioImageXD, and others) Open access to commercial platforms (e.g. Zeiss, Bitplane, Leica, Nikon, Olympus, and others) Community wiki-style annotations. All software tools will have to satisfy high standards in user-friendliness, standardization, pluggable architecture, support and documentation, interoperability, be platform-based and commercial software will also need to have open interfaces Common repositories and image data storage It is expected that the majority of images produced at Euro-BioImaging Nodes are specific to a particular experiment and research question, and therefore Euro- BioImaging s general policy is data belongs to the user. Such data should be stored only temporarily at the Euro-BioImaging Node for quality control and analysis and then archived locally via appropriate mechanisms at the user s home institution in line with funders requirements. The size of the dataset and Node-to-User connectivity will determine the mode of data transfer (e.g. web-based transfer, shipment of external hard drives). Storage capacity requirements (based on PCS feedback) are that 80% of users need less than 200 GB storage capacity. 20% of Users need TB capacity. However, it is expected (and already the case) that a smaller proportion of the images constitute valuable resources for a broader community of users that will often be accessed as a reference or that will be recomputed to extract additional information and knowledge ( reference images ). Euro-BioImaging will create a central Image Data Repository (IDR) for scientific image data to be used as the community resource for access, mining, standards, benchmarking and publication of image data. The IDR will be used to store A Central Image Data Repository of reference data will be available for all scientists Benchmark datasets that will be used to validate analysis tools and compare their performance on different data sets Reference images that may be a foundation for national and transnational research collaborations or reference data linked to other resources and that may include genome wide studies, cellular or organism atlases etc. The expected storage capacity for the IDR is ~1000 TB in the first two years (see Table 5.4). Euro-BioImaging will provide a framework for the communities to make their image data accessible and support each community in maturing their image data sets by defining image data standards and architectures for common repositories.

20 20 I Euro-BioImaging The Service Provider Cloud compute services Cloud compute services will allow algorithms from Member States to access common image data repositories The Euro-BioImaging image data strategy plans to use academically owned cloud storage and compute capacity and is preparing for this through its Preparatory Phase coordinating institution, EMBL, in partnership with CERN and ESA in the Helix Nebula project ( Cloud compute services of the Euro- BioImaging Hub for member states can follow an embassy model that allows algorithms from all member states to effectively access the common image data repositories at the Hub. EMBL is already engaged in discussions with the major e-infrastructure providers including Geant, to establish pilot concepts for high bandwidth links to major image data producing centres. The future Euro-BioImaging infrastructure will be a major driver and best practice model for the resulting connectivity and cloud compute requirements Infrastructures collaborating on data High bandwidth connects major image data producing centres To add maximal value to imaging data, Euro-BioImaging aims to closely collaborate with ELIXIR to provide integrated database solutions that link molecular and imaging data. In addition, Euro-BioImaging is collaborating with Infrafrontier and BBMRI to establish interoperability of imaging data with other life science data types within the EC future cluster project BioMedBridges. Target Group Euro-BioImaging Service Added Value User Provider Data storage, management and transfer from Node to User Software for data processing, analysis, visualization and mining, with proven utility and usability Common image data repositories Cloud compute services Dissemination methods, standards or tools, that enable data sharing and/or publication Data storage and management at the Node Software for data processing, analysis, visualization and mining, with proven utility and usability for use by Node Enable users to manage and analyse image data, support handling of very large data volumes Enable access to common data of general importance Enable users to use cloud computing services Answering new scientific questions based on existing imaging data Enable providers to manage and analyse image data, support handling of huge data volumes Table 3.3 Services Euro-BioImaging is providing to different target groups, supporting the data management.

21 Euro-BioImaging The Service Provider I Quality Management Euro-BioImaging will apply a defined set of quality management tools at the Hub and all Nodes to maintain, standardize and optimize the entire range of services. Quality management is defined here as quality assurance and quality control and regarded as a core responsibility of Nodes89. Euro-BioImaging aims at becoming a high-class quality label for imaging infrastructure. For facilities of different kinds and in different environments, this can only be achieved by defined quality standards and formalized quality management procedures. The Euro-BioImaging Quality Seal awarded to Euro-BioImaging Nodes, which successfully pass regular quality checks stands for five key service components, which the facility visibly provides: Euro-BioImaging Nodes will carry a Quality Seal after successfully passing quality checks Open and transparent access to imaging technologies based solely on scientific merit of the user proposal State-of-the-art imaging equipment Availability of leading expertise Quality management in place Professional operational and management model in place. Nodes that do not meet these requirements at the moment of evaluation will be guided through a process of service improvements. They will lose their status as Euro-BioImaging Node if the requested improvement is not detectable or achievable until their next evaluation. Another important feature of Euro-BioImaging s quality assurance will be the quality control tool at the web access portal. It will measure user satisfaction, amount and quality of publications and other key performance indicators such as research grants in which access to Euro-BioImaging is mentioned or acknowledged. The User satisfaction survey is mandatory and done on-line after each project. The quality control tool will provide templates for acknowledging Euro-BioImaging and also automatically will remind the users about notifying Euro-BioImaging when the performed work has been published. Services offered by Euro-BioImaging Euro-BioImaging will be a distributed research infrastructure and provide open user access to a complete range of state-of-the-art imaging technologies in biological, molecular and medical imaging for life scientists in Europe and beyond. Euro- BioImaging will offer standardized and quality-tested services in training and technical support, as well as data services for image storage, analysis and repository databases. The research infrastructure will consist of a set of complementary, strongly interlinked and geographically distributed Nodes that provide physical access for European scientists in all Member States. The pan-european infrastructure will be empowered by a supporting and coordinating Hub. The Hub will provide the single entry point for the user who will be guided to the requested imaging technology as served by the Euro-BioImaging Nodes. At the Hub, data services and training activities will be coordinated. Users acknowledge Euro- BioImaging support via the online Quality Control Tool Euro-BioImaging will apply a defined set of quality management tools at the Hub and all Nodes to maintain, standardize and optimize the entire range of services. 9 Please see deliverable D12.8 on for detailed information on quality management and access policy.

22 22 I Euro-BioImaging The Service Provider Euro-BioImaging will apply a defined set of quality management tools at the Hub and all Nodes to maintain, standardize and optimize the entire range of services. The Euro-BioImaging Quality Seal is awarded to Euro-BioImaging Nodes, which successfully pass regular quality checks and stands for five key service components, which the facility visibly provides. A quality control tool will measure user satisfaction, amount of publications and other success indicators and makes sure, Euro- BioImaging users are always served at the highest quality level.

23 The Euro-BioImaging Infrastructure Model I 23 4 The Euro-BioImaging Infrastructure Model Euro-BioImaging will be a pan-european research infrastructure with distributed 10 Nodes providing physical user access and a supporting and coordinating Hub The Euro-BioImaging Hub Coordination and Support Activities The Hub will be the heart of the infrastructure, which will be established and operated by an international consortium of Member States and intergovernmental organisations. The Hub will become a newly created international organisation that has its own governance structure comprising decision-making, executive and advisory bodies (see Chapter 4.4 Governance Structure). The Hub will carry out coordinating and supporting activities for Euro-BioImaging at the European level such as: Supporting user access Web portal for submission of user project proposals Common first consultation point for users (technical experts support users to identify the most suitable imaging technology, the most suitable Node) Administrative framework for transparent scientific evaluation of user projects The Hub will carry out coordinating and supporting activities for Euro-BioImaging at the European level Training Coordination and support of user training activities Dissemination and advertisement of Euro-BioImaging training courses Coordination of design and execution of RI facility staff training courses Management of and access to common repository for training activities in biological and medical imaging Data management Provision of access to standardized, annotated data repository(ies) of general relevance for the research community e.g. for biological imaging in collaboration with ELIXIR Access to common European repository of standardized and quality controlled tools for image data analysis Coordination of common European cloud computing services for standardized image processing. 10 Please see deliverable D2.3 on for detailed information on the Hub-and-Node model and the governance structure.

24 24 I The Euro-BioImaging Infrastructure Model Administrative tasks Furthermore, the Hub responsibilities at the Euro-BioImaging Director s office include the overall coordination and administration of Euro-BioImaging. The Euro- BioImaging Director will prepare, propose and execute the Board s decisions, will be the legal representative of Euro-BioImaging and the central figure representing Euro- BioImaging and promoting the Research Infrastructure at the national and international level. The Director s office will support the Director in his/her tasks including: Administrative support of the Executive Management Public relations and communication Support and interlink all national imaging initiatives Facilitate and coordinate quality control functions and support quality assurance measures at the Nodes as determined by the Euro-BioImaging Board Strategic support of upgrade and maintenance of RI Organisational framework for governance (Organisation of Euro-BioImaging Board meetings, support of Board members, preparation of meetings etc.) Set-up and maintenance of Euro-BioImaging website Initiation and maintenance of industry relations Stakeholder management Support and coordination of SAB and other advisory bodies once established. In addition, Community-Specific Sections will support the Director in these tasks as far as they require community-specific implementation. Each Community-Specific Section will be chaired by a Head of Section (Chapter 4.4.3). The number of FTE`s in the Community-Specific Sections will be based on the required effort for supporting user access from the respective community, which will increase with a higher number of users. The scalability of the Hub model as well as staff and building requirements are described in Chapter 5.3.

25 The Euro-BioImaging Infrastructure Model I The Euro-BioImaging Nodes National imaging facilities can obtain the status of a Euro-BioImaging Node after being (1) successfully evaluated by independent imaging experts, (2) proposed by their countries and (3) selected by the Euro-BioImaging Board. Regular open calls will allow selecting the strongest contributions from all national imaging communities into the pan-european research infrastructure. The preceding process of national coordination and prioritization for the Euro-BioImaging open calls is entirely the responsibility of each country. After application to Euro-BioImaging, the review of the Nodes will be carried out by the Scientific Advisory Board The Scientific Advisory Board will advise the Euro-BioImaging Members regarding the selection of Euro-BioImaging Nodes During the preparatory phase, Euro-BioImaging ran the 1 st Open Call for Nodes, inviting European imaging facilities to express interest in becoming Euro-BioImaging Nodes. The review of the proposals and their content with regard to the scientific and technical plan as well as quality control mechanisms was exceptionally done by an Independent Evaluation Board of international non-european senior experts in imaging technologies. For detailed information on the 1 st Open Call, see Box3 and the Annex IEB list. Generally Nodes will carry out activities in the same field as the Euro-BioImaging Hub but with different foci: User access Evaluation of technical feasibility of user proposals Direct and extensive user consultation and management for project realization Provision of access to imaging technologies, expertise and required services Training User-training: hands-on training for use of instruments Performance of regular user training courses (levels based on available instrumentation and expertise) Euro-BioImaging Nodes will 12 : Provide services and open access for users in the field of biological and medical imaging that enable excellent science Offer at least 50% of their newly created capacity to Euro-BioImaging users Have proven their scientific and technical excellence Be of European significance in their technology and service expertise Constitute a legal entity and are accountable in their entirety to Euro-BioImaging Provide for a single point of contact for the Euro-BioImaging user after evaluation of their proposed project Be nationally funded. Nodes will offer comprehensive services of imaging technologies, expertise and data management support 11 More about SAB can be found in section For more information about requirements from Node please consult General Criteria for Node from

26 26 I The Euro-BioImaging Infrastructure Model Data management Data storage and support for data management and analysis and processing from users experiments/project Types of the Nodes Euro-BioImaging proposes several types of Nodes (see Figure 4.1) depending on the imaging technologies the Node will provide to the User and the number of sites which constitute a Node: Type of Node Based on the Offered Imaging Technologies Single Technology Flagship Nodes will offer an innovative advanced light microscopy or medical imaging technology at a European leading level. Euro-BioImaging called for the following innovative technologies (1 st Open Call): Advanced Light Microscopy flagship technologies: CLEM, Super Resolution Microscopy, Functional Imaging, High Throughput Microscopy, Mesoscopic Imaging Medical Imaging flagship technologies: HF-MRI, MRI-PET, PCI and Population imaging Data infrastructure: Challenges Framework. Type of Node Based on the Number of Sites Single-sited Nodes providing the complete service package in a single location. Multi-sited Nodes proposed by several institutions situated at different locations, which are providing an integrated service package with a single point of entry for the user. Multimodal Technology Nodes will provide excellence by the integration of multiple imaging technologies at one site. Multimodal Nodes focus on various combinations of ALM, or Molecular, or Medical imaging technologies or even offer the combination of all three technology areas. Figure 4.1 Types of Euro-BioImaging Nodes A single-sited Node can consist of one or several institutes. Several institutions can collaborate to jointly offer complementary services to users. A single-sited Node that gives physical access to users can be operated by one or by several institutions which are in the same geographical location. However, a condition of a multi-institutional but single-sited node are that these institutes must create a single legal entity, under whose umbrella combined services are offered to the users. A Node could as well become multi-sited if required to optimally serve the user community. A multi-sited Node comprising several sites run by one or several legal entities can only be considered if these are integrated into a single legal entity and offer a single point of entry for the user. Alternative legal models can be developed and added in the future as soon as available and if appropriate Technologies offered at the Nodes The selection of technologies that will be offered by Euro-BioImaging Nodes will be based on actual user needs and the development of an infrastructure model that can successfully provide open access to a given technology. Nodes will be selected 13 Instead of merging all partners into a single legal entity, contractual arrangements could be established that allow that the multi-sited Node composed of different legal partners acts as a single contractual partner with all its partners being legally accountable for the performance of their service towards the Euro-BioImaging Member States.

27 The Euro-BioImaging Infrastructure Model I Demonstrate user need 2. Develop reasearch infrastructure model for providing open access 3. Demonstation of feasibility of open access 4. Open Call for Nodes and independent evaluation of the Expression of Interest Figure 4.2: Euro-BioImaging Technology Identifi cation Process through an open call for Expressions of Interest which will be independently evaluated by international experts (Figure 4.2). Successful Node applicants will then start negotiation with their national funders for Node construction. Only needed and tested technologies will be offered by Euro- BioImaging Nodes The 1 st Open Call for Euro-BioImaging Nodes focused on technologies for which: User need has been demonstrated (see Euro-BioImaging survey in Box 1 and Euro-BioImaging webpage1214 ). Infrastructure model and service package have been defined (see Technology Specific Review Criteria). 15 Demonstration of feasibility has been provided by the Proof-of-Concept Studies13 (PCS) mechanism or equivalent1416. Based on the identifi cation process, in the 1 st Open Call (Jan-Apr 2013) Euro- BioImaging accepted expressions of interest for the following technologies: Biological imaging: Multi-modal Advanced Light Microscopy including: Spinning Disc Confocal Systems Laser Scanning Confocal systems Deconvolution Widefield Microscopy Multiphoton Systems Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Microscopy Fourier Transform Infrared Imaging Electron Microscopy Correlative Light-Electron Microscopy Further information on PCS studies can be found on proof-concept-studies-principles-and-outcomes 16 Demonstration of feasibility for open access to MRI-PET was provided by alternative means.

28 28 I The Euro-BioImaging Infrastructure Model Functional Imaging: FCS, FCCS, FLIM, FRET, FRAP, Raman Spectroscopy High-Throughput Microscopy Mesoscopic Imaging: SPIM, OPT, DSLM, OCPI Super Resolution Microscopy: STED, PALM, STORM, RESOLFT, GSD, GSDIM, 4Pi Multi-modal molecular imaging: micro PET/CT, micro SPECT/CT, micro MRI/ MRS, micro CT, micro US, Optical Imaging Medical imaging including: High-Field MRI Phase Contrast Imaging MRI-PET Population Imaging. Data infrastructure: Challenges Framework, to support software challenge organisers and participants in algorithm validation Additional technologies will be added in future Euro-BioImaging calls for Nodes. The call delivered 71 Expressions of Interest to establish Euro-BioImaging Nodes. This pool of proposed Nodes will be considered for the first generation of Euro- BioImaging Nodes by the Euro-BioImaging (Interim) Board. More information about the 1 st Call for Nodes can be found in Box 3.

29 The Euro-BioImaging Infrastructure Model I 29 Box 3 Euro-BioImaging 1 st Open Call for Nodes From January to April 2013, Euro-BioImaging published an Open Call for Nodes and invited imaging facilities in all ESFRI countries for the fi rst time to formally express their interest to join the future Euro-BioImaging infrastructure. Being committed to an open and comparable Node evaluation mechanism, Euro-BioImaging and its External Advisory Board installed the Independent Evaluation Board (IEB) consisting of international leading experts for imaging technologies and infrastructures. The IEB evaluated all Expressions of Interest (EoIs) against the set of general and technology specifi c review criteria defi ned by the Euro-BioImaging preparatory phase consortium. 71 Imaging facilities from 19 countries submitted their EoI to Euro-BioImaging (see Figure 4.3). 25 of the submitted Nodes Expressions of Interest were highly recommended by the Independent Evaluation Board to become part of the future Euro- BioImaging infrastructure. The 71 Expressions of Interest demonstrated the broad user interest and need for the Nodes future services they plan to offer. In total, the Node applicants submitted more than 2200 research project proposals from users who plan to access Euro- BioImaging in the fi rst two years of operation, for conducting research they are currently unable to do due to lacking access and expertise in imaging technologies. For more information on the Call visit Euro-BioImaging website ALM Multi Modal ALM Flagship Medical Imaging Molecular Multi Modal Imaging Mixed technologies (ALM, molecular, medical) Challenges Framework Figure 4.3: Distribution of proposed Euro-BioImaging Nodes from the 1 st Open Call for Nodes 17

30 30 I The Euro-BioImaging Infrastructure Model 4.3 User Access Policy The user access in Euro-BioImaging will be efficient, supportive, transparent, open and if agreed by the future Euro-BioImaging Member States free at the point of service for the user1518. The Euro-BioImaging user will be granted access to required resources (e.g. access to instrumentation, expertise, training, data software and analysis tools) at all stages of the research project (see Chapter 3 for more details on Euro-BioImaging Services). Users will access Euro- BioImaging services through a central web access portal and be guided through their application to use Euro- BioImaging Nodes. All Euro-BioImaging users will enter the research infrastructure via the central web-access portal of the Euro-BioImaging website, which is coordinated and supported by the Hub (Figure 4.4). Users without previous knowledge of the services and techniques on offer start with the Node and technology finder functions, and they can consult imaging experts at the Hub to refine their project plan. The next step of user access is the submission and evaluation of an application that describes the project to be carried out at the Euro-BioImaging infrastructure. User access will be based on scientific merit. Evaluation criteria for user project proposals comprise scientific and technical quality, soundness of concept and progress beyond state-ofthe-art, associated work plan and technical feasibility. Evaluation will occur in a rapid two-step procedure: first, scientific evaluation of the user proposal by a standing panel of leading experts in the field which is administered by the Hub, and secondly, technical feasibility review and final approval for user access by the experts at the receiving Node. The whole evaluation process will not last longer than 2-4 weeks. 18 Please see deliverable D12.8 on for detailed information on quality management and access policy.

31 The Euro-BioImaging Infrastructure Model I 31 Experienced applicant Inexperienced applicant Technology fi nder Site fi nder Submission of the application Keyword search to fi nd the review panel correction and resubmission Review process Further information needed Complete application 1 st scientific review (independent experts) Information to the applicant No Yes information to the applicant correction and resubmission 2 nd technical evaluation (Node staff) Checking the quality criteria of the facility and the user Further information needed Complete application information to the applicant and EuBI Hub No Yes information to the applicant and EuBI Hub Web Access Portal Quality Control Tool: Applicant sent to the next preferred site and the process begins again Project begins User satisfaction survey Reminds about reporting the results, publications and other success indicators. Figure 4.4: Flowchart illustrating the user access procedures from application to project evaluation.

32 32 I The Euro-BioImaging Infrastructure Model 4.4 Governance Structure The Euro-BioImaging Board will be the principle decisionmaking body. It will be composed of Delegates from the Euro-BioImaging Members European States and intergovernmental organisations that are participating in Euro- BioImaging will form the Euro-BioImaging Board, the main decision making body through which they will govern Euro-BioImaging1619. They will be supported by the Director and Executive Management at the Hub, an independent Scientifi c Advisory Board, the Panel of Nodes, Industry Committees and further advisory bodies as needed Euro-BioImaging Board The Euro-BioImaging Board will be the principle decision-making body for overall strategy and the policy for integrated operation and further development of Euro- BioImaging. The Board will be composed of Delegates of the Euro-BioImaging Members (countries and intergovernmental organisations). Delegates will be appointed by each Member. Each Member can nominate up to three Delegates, however each Member will have only one vote. The Board will take all strategic decisions including: Adopt strategic plan (technological, scientific and administrative), based on advice from the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) Adopt budget Approve provisional estimates of expenditure for the following year Approve audited annual accounts Approve the annual report presented by the Euro-BioImaging Director Approve application conditions and criteria for Nodes, based on advice from the SAB Approve inclusion of new and exclusion of existing Nodes, based on advice from the SAB 19 Please see deliverable D2.3 on for detailed information on the governance structure. Euro-BioImaging Board Up to 3 delegates from each Euro-BioImaging Member State One chair & two vice-chairs Scientific Advisory Board Panel of Nodes Community specific sub-board Community specific sub-board Executive Management Euro-BioImaging Director Community Specific Section Head of Section Community Specific Section Head of Section Industry Commitee Staleholder & User Forum National Coordinator Committee Ethics Advisory Committee Figure 4.5: Proposal for Euro-BioImaging Governance Structure

33 The Euro-BioImaging Infrastructure Model I 33 Oversee the performance of the Hub and Nodes activities based on advice from the SAB and the report by the Euro-BioImaging Director Appoint the Euro-BioImaging Director Approve the appointment of Heads of Sections Establish advisory bodies (e.g. Industry Committee, National Coordinator Committee, Ethics Committee) as deemed necessary Adopt rules of procedure for the Hub. Decisions to be taken by the Board will be prepared and proposed by the Euro- BioImaging Director, as outlined below. Each Member nominates up to three Delegates, however each Member will have only one vote Executive Management Body The Board is supported by an Executive Management Body headed by the Euro- BioImaging Director. The Euro-BioImaging Director represents the infrastructure to the outside and executes the Board s decisions. The Executive Management Body supports and coordinates the activities of the infrastructure, manages the distribution of resources and produces the necessary financial and scientific reports. Euro-BioImaging Director and Director s Office will support the Board and coordinate the activities of the infrastructure The Director will: Implement the strategy as adopted by the Board in accordance with the budget Prepare a budget with detailed estimates of income and expenditure for consideration and approval of the Board Report to the Board on Euro-BioImaging s activities After consultation with the Panel of Nodes report to the Board on Node specific issues and developments Coordinate the assessment by the SAB of the existing Nodes activities on the basis of their reporting Execute decisions regarding quality assurance and coordination of evaluation of Nodes and Hub activities Present applications and funding status for candidate and for renewal of existing Nodes to the Board Coordinate application procedure for new Nodes Negotiate the collaboration agreements with the Nodes Represent Euro-BioImaging externally, including towards Member States, Funders, EC, ESFRI RIs, Stakeholders in the European as well as global landscape of imaging research infrastructures Identify additional external funding opportunities Involve other Advisory Bodies established by the Board where necessary for the above tasks. The Executive Management Body will support the Director in his tasks and in the overall coordination and administration of Euro-BioImaging Hub as presented in section 4.1.

34 34 I The Euro-BioImaging Infrastructure Model In addition, the Heads of Community Specific Sections will support the Director in these tasks as far as they require community-specific implementation Community Specific Sections If required by the number of Nodes and the user demand for access and to maintain a balanced representation of different imaging communities, Community Specific Sections will support the Director to execute tasks that require community-specific implementations. Each Community-Specific Section will be chaired by a Head of Section. Tasks that require community specific implementation are handled by Community Specific Sections The Heads of Section report to the Director and support and coordinate the community-specific day-to-day activities of the infrastructure, manage the distribution of section resources and prepare all necessary section-specific material (community specific strategic plans, reports, guidelines etc.) for consideration and approval by the Director. In particular the Sections will: Coordinate and support community-specific training Coordinate and support community-specific outreach activities Coordinate and support community-specific data management activities Support community-specific user access Scientific Advisory Board The Scientific Advisory Board oversees the quality of the activities at the Hub and the Nodes The Board and the Executive Director will be advised by an independent Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), which oversees the quality of the Euro-BioImaging activities at the coordinating Hub and the technical Nodes, including the evaluation of new Nodes. The independent SAB will be composed of independent and highly qualified, international scientists, that are widely recognized as leading experts in the different imaging technologies and research communities reflecting the Node composition and user demand of the Euro-BioImaging infrastructure, selected on the basis of their excellence in all aspects of Euro-BioImaging. Members will be appointed by the Euro-BioImaging Board based on nominations by the Director in consultation with the Stakeholder and User Forum. The SAB will directly advise the Euro-BioImaging Board and the Euro-BioImaging Director on the quality of the Euro-BioImaging activities at the coordinating Hub and the Nodes, including the performance assessment of existing Nodes as well as the evaluation of new Nodes.

35 The Euro-BioImaging Infrastructure Model I The Stakeholder and User Forum The Stakeholder and User Forum assembles all interest groups linked to Euro- BioImaging, such as users of the infrastructure, industry, ethical experts, and national coordinators. Representative user delegations ideally will meet once per year for an update on the infrastructure by the Euro-BioImaging Management and to provide highlights of successful research outcomes by using the infrastructure and their respective feedback in general. The Euro-BioImaging Director will provide the Board with regular updates on the stakeholder s suggestions and requirements. Stakeholders and Industry representatives will provide regular feedback to the Euro- BioImaging Director The Stakeholder and User Forum will also provide a platform for industry representatives such as major vendors and producers of bio-optics and medical imaging equipment as well as major industry users of the infrastructure. They will transfer the industry position on imaging technologies and thereby allow the European imaging industry to speak with one voice to emphasize the importance of imaging technologies for European innovation, their competitiveness and the growing bio-economy of the 21 st century (see more on the Euro-BioImaging Industry Board in Chapter 6.1.2). The Stakeholder and User Forum should also provide a platform for the National Coordinating Persons who are elected by, and represent, the national biological and medical imaging initiatives in currently 23 European countries17 (Box 4). They will provide valuable input on the needs and developments in the national imaging communities to guarantee a close communication and collaboration with the European research infrastructure. Finally international experts regarding ethical questions in the field of the life sciences should be assembled under the Stakeholder and User Forum. Based on the ethical model and compliance with national ethical regulations they will provide advice to the Euro-BioImaging Director regarding all ethical issues related to Euro-BioImaging activities.

36 36 I The Euro-BioImaging Infrastructure Model Box 4 National Imaging Communities and Coordinating Persons To trigger the formation of and the exchange with national imaging communities is one of the major achievements of Euro-BioImaging so far: before Euro- BioImaging had been initiated, imaging communities were fragmented and/ or not organised at all. Since 2009, national imaging communities have been formed in 24 countries supported by Euro-BioImaging. They represent the key stakeholders in Euro-BioImaging and are the most important source of information and communication between Euro-BioImaging and infrastructure users, providers and funders in the different countries. These initiatives were launched to prepare and support their national imaging facilities and user communities for participation in Euro-BioImaging, each community represented by a national coordinating person in the Euro-BioImaging stakeholder meetings and working groups. The national users communities are invited to actively participate in the national initiatives to directly express their thoughts and requirements for developing the national and European-level infrastructures. The full list of National Imaging Communities and contact details of National Coordinating Persons can be found on Euro-BioImaging webpage (see footnote).

37 The Euro-BioImaging Infrastructure Model I Legal Structure Euro-BioImaging will be established as a distributed European research infrastructure with a Hub and Node structure that will have a legal entity allowing it to handle the infrastructure budget, employ staff, etc Relationship between the Euro-BioImaging Hub and Technology Nodes Imaging facilities in European countries will enter into collaboration agreements with the Hub and thereby acquire the offi cial status of Euro-BioImaging Node. The Collaboration Agreements will defi ne the relationship between the Hub and the respective Node, in particular the respective obligations such as the services and capacities that a Node will contribute as part of Euro-BioImaging. Collaboration Agreements will ensure open and transparent access to all Euro-BioImaging users. The national institutes hosting the Euro-BioImaging Node will keep their own legal identity and only that part of the imaging facility which provides the services to the Euro-BioImaging users will be accountable for these services to the pan-european research infrastructure Euro-BioImaging The Infrastructure legal model The Euro-BioImaging preparatory phase Work Package WP2 Governance, legal and ethical issues has analysed all currently available legal models 21 for pan-european distributed research infrastructures in depth and has identifi ed all three models to be suitable for Euro-BioImaging: Hub and Nodes will enter into collaboration agreement Three legal models are suitable for the establishment of Euro- BioImaging Euro-BioImaging as European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC): In general, ERIC would be a suitable legal framework for Euro-BioImaging, and using this model would allow Euro-BioImaging to have a permanent structure and to profi t from having a legal identity recognized by all EU Member States and privileges linked to it. However, it is up to the Member States to decide within their national laws whether or not they would accept a Research Infrastructure as an institute that profits from certain privileges. The ERIC would be bound to national regulations of those countries that host the ERIC seat and other sites. International Consortium Agreement linked to an existing Intergovernmental Organisation (IO) such as EMBL (mixed model): The future Euro-BioImaging members states and intergovernmental organisations would conclude an International Consortium Agreement and decide to use an existing legal entity for legal actions or to establish a new legal entity for these purposes. The agreement would endeavour to make sure that Euro-BioImaging becomes a research infrastructure with its own identity and visibility. In this mixed model, Euro-BioImaging, i.e. the coordinating Hub, would make use of an existing international organisation, which would at the same time become an International Consortium Member. If this legal model is chosen, the member states of the Euro-BioImaging International Consortium and the IO will conclude an International Consortium Agreement that deals with the Partner s obligations. The IO would agree to provide services, offi ces and facilities to the infrastructure s management (e.g. Director and Secretariat) and 21 Please see deliverable D2.1 on eurobioimaging.eu

38 38 I The Euro-BioImaging Infrastructure Model employ staff that would work for Euro-BioImaging. If EMBL will be chosen, Euro- BioImaging would benefit from EMBL s existing intergovernmental legal personality. International Consortium Agreement linked to a company limited by guarantee: Another alternative of a mixed model would be the establishment of a new legal entity by the member states of the International Consortium for the Hub activities. This could be for example a company limited by guarantee based on national law such as the German GmbH, the UK Private Company Limited by Guarantee or the French Société Civile. The model International Consortium Agreement linked to a company limited by guarantee would be suitable for Euro-BioImaging, providing Euro-BioImaging a legal personality. The governance structure is easy to adopt and includes a clear line of authority and responsibility covering scientific, technical and administrative aspects of the facility. However, the restriction to national law has some downsides for an international infrastructure, and many countries will not be able to become partners of this infrastructure as experienced by other ESFRI infrastructure projects. Therefore this last model is the least favoured one by the Euro- BioImaging Consortium. The final decision on the legal model of the hub will depend on the Hub-hosting country and the decision taken by the future Euro-BioImaging Member States and international organisations as represented in the Interim Board (see Chapter 7.2).

39 Euro-BioImaging Finance and Cost Plan I 39 5 Euro-BioImaging Finance and Cost Plan Euro-BioImaging will significantly increase the return on investment in imaging technologies for funders in Europe 22. The European infrastructure level is building on existing national investments in imaging infrastructure in many European countries by bringing added value through increase of usage efficiency and coordination of European open user access to these capacities. The Euro-BioImaging infrastructure model allows for scalability in size and over time (see Box 5), responding to the actual Euro-BioImaging user numbers it serves and the scope of imaging technologies and services requested by the European users. The costs for construction and operation for Euro-BioImaging Hub and Nodes will be fi nanced by the Euro-BioImaging Member States as well as European-level infrastructure and research funding mechanisms such as European Union Structural Funds and Horizon The Euro-BioImaging cost structure is transparent and clearly distinguishes construction and operation costs necessary for its European Hub, as well as the national Nodes: Construction and upgrading of Euro-BioImaging Nodes (funding at national level) Operation and maintenance of Euro-BioImaging Nodes including usage and related costs, Node management and administration (funding at national and European level) Construction and upgrading of Euro-BioImaging Hub (funding by Hub-hosting country) Operation and maintenance of Euro-BioImaging Hub (funding at European level). Construction and upgrading of NODES Operation and maintainance of NODES Construction and upgrading of HUB Operation and maintainance of HUB Funded by hosting Member State Funded by European Commission H2020 and Member State(s) Funded by common Euro-BioImaging Member States budget Figure 5.1 Funding sources for Euro-BioImaging Nodes and Hub 22 Please see deliverable D4.7 on for detailed information on the fi nance and risk management plan.

40 40 I Euro-BioImaging Finance and Cost Plan Box 5 Euro-BioImaging is Scalable The Euro-BioImaging infrastructure model allows for scalability in size and over time, responding to the actual Euro-BioImaging user numbers it serves and the scope of imaging technologies and services requested by the European users. Euro- BioImaging can grow over years and have different sizes: Small 15 Nodes (serving User/year) Medium 25 Nodes (serving 750-1,000 User/year) Large 50 Nodes (serving 1,500-2,200 User/year). Once fully operational, an infrastructure composed of 25 Nodes that would serve up to 1000 users/year therefore appears realistic in terms of the current capacities and expertise available in the Member States. In the start-up phase, this could be reached via an interim scenario of 15 Nodes/600 users/year. If successful and endorsed by the Member States, Euro-BioImaging could then grow based on user demand to a mature infrastructure within its first 10 years of operation. Extrapolating the number of PCS applications (228 user applications in 8 weeks) to one year and based on the Nodes Expressions of Interest accompanied by over 2200 user research proposals, Euro-BioImaging expects to serve up to users per year with 35 users per Node on average (range of Euro-BioImaging users per Node). The final number of Euro-BioImaging Nodes will depend on the actual user demand, and the user number per Node will vary between technologies and countries. Euro-BioImaging can grow over time depending on user access demand Euro-BioImaging User access Nodes Nodes Nodes Figure 5.2: Euro-BioImaging is set to grow, particularly in the first years and the costs of Node and Hub operation are scalable to actual need.

41 Euro-BioImaging Finance and Cost Plan I Finance and Cost Plan for Euro-BioImaging Nodes Data source for construction and operation costs of Euro-BioImaging Nodes In the 1 st Open Call for Euro-BioImaging Nodes, each of the 71 Node applicants has provided their own financial planning, considering necessary upgrades and building of physical facilities, but also required personnel and other costs for the first five years of Euro-BioImaging operation, and the number of users they can host per year with the planned capacity. Cost projections for Euro-BioImaging Nodes construction and operation were calculated based on these Cost Concepts submitted by the Node applicants. Table 5.1 summarizes the methodology of the cost calculation. Type of Cost What it Includes How is it Calculated Construction costs Operational costs Number of users to be served by Euro-BioImaging User access costs Imaging instruments, other relevant/ supporting equipment required for imaging experiments and research; acquisition of real estate and infrastructure (building). Support staff: facility manager,-technicians, operators, image analysis specialist, admin staff; building automation, heating/air conditioning, electricity, software licenses, membership fees, other contributions to the hosting organisation; upgrades and replacement purchases required for keeping the infrastructure and equipment on an adequate level, reflecting the stateof-the-art; as indirect administration costs associated with the requested staff, consumables, etc. Costs for hosting a user, providing him service and infrastructure Based on the Cost Concepts submitted by each Node applicant (see Annex). Based on the submitted Cost Concepts by each Node applicant. Number of users per Node multiplied by Number of Nodes Running costs per year divided by number of users per year that are supported by these running costs; numbers provided by each Node applicant Table 5.1: Applied procedure in Preparatory Phase to calculate projected Nodes costs.

42 42 I Euro-BioImaging Finance and Cost Plan Construction of Euro-BioImaging Nodes In most cases, the construction of Nodes will build on and make use of already existing imaging facilities, therefore investment will be required mostly for upgrade of capacity of these existing facilities. The capacity upgrade often includes building construction, investment in instrumentation, data storage and capacity, wet lab facilities and employment of additional technical support staff for users etc. (see complete list in Table 5.1). This does not include future instrument replacements or major instrument upgrades, investments which need to be made on a longer term but regular basis to keep the equipment up-to-date. Such costs are calculated under costs for Node operation. Nodes will be predominantly funded at the national level Part of the investment will be carried by the participating organisations and institutions which host the Euro-BioImaging Nodes (see Figure 5.3). This will be supplemented by funds from national governmental partners for creating the required new capacity for enabling open access for Euro-BioImaging users. However, these two funding sources may not be sufficient to cover all construction costs for some Nodes. Additional potential funders will be considered by the Node hosting institutions, such as EU Structural Funds, foundations, charities, industry, banks, European Investment Bank, etc. leveraging the synergies between the national and European research infrastructure in each country. The construction costs of each individual Node depend on the type and combination of technologies offered. Projected construction costs for different Node types are listed in Table 5.2 based on information from 65 Node applications, although naturally significant national and regional differences exist. In many European countries a large fraction of national investments, i.e. 202 million have already been made into the potential future Euro-BioImaging Nodes construction, that have formally expressed their interest to contribute their capacity to the pan-european infrastructure (see Figure 5.3). Another 142 Million have additionally been applied for by such potential future Nodes in the framework of national infrastructure funding instruments. Because of Euro-BioImaging, these funding commitments are now coupled to open user access in many countries, which adds significant value to the investment by impacting many more scientists than comparable investments in the past. In addition, coordinating the procurements for the whole country by the national BioImaging chapters has the potential to secure large cost savings. Node s Capacity Upgrade (Median Value) Node Operation Costs per User (Median Value) Biological Node 1.3 Million 9,000/user (30 users/year) Molecular Node 6.7 Million 13,000/user (55 users/year) Medical Node 7.2 Million 62,000/user (22 users/year) Table 5.2: Expected costs for the capacity upgrade and operation to become Euro-BioImaging Nodes. Costs of the upgrade of Biological Imaging Nodes range from 0 to 20 Million (median absolute deviation of 1.1 Million), for Molecular Imaging Nodes from 0 to 20 Million (median absolute deviation 3.7 Million) and Medical Imaging Nodes from 0.3 to 13 Million (median absolute deviation 2.5 Million). User access cost for Mixed Nodes, providing a unique combination of Biological/Molecular/Medical imaging technologies lays with per user in the range of the three main technology fields.

43 Euro-BioImaging Finance and Cost Plan I M 3,5M M 10,5+10M 41+17M 6+2,5M 23,32 M 4 M 42,9+24M 19 M 3+1,5 M 17+13M 0,47+1,4M +11M 28,3M Investment already made in potential Euro-BioImaging Node (black): 202 M Investment applied for by potential Euro-BioImaging Node (black): +142 M Figure 5.3: National investments made for potential Euro-BioImaging Nodes during the preparatory phase. Investments made in potential Nodes are highlighted in black, current applications for additional investments are highlighted in white (status October 2013) Operation of Euro-BioImaging Nodes Generally, Nodes activities will focus on the individual user access at their facility and the related training and data management activities. For these activities, the Node operation will include costs for Node management and operation of user access (staff, instrument time, upgrade and maintenance, running costs e.g. electricity, heating and cooling, building maintenance, training materials, consumables, supporting facilities such as wet labs, animal facilities, etc.). The open access to Euro-BioImaging aims to be free at the point of service for academic users and should be based exclusively on the scientifi c excellence of the research project proposed by the user. The fund the user concept would recover operational costs through the actual usage of a Node. This will guarantee that the services remain at the cutting edge quality that scientists need and provides the incentive for a national institution to host a Euro-BioImaging Node. To establish this system, Euro-BioImaging plans a start-up funding mechanism that underwrites the initially required up-front investment into the Node capacity until the steady state level of users has been reached. After this initial phase, Node operational funding should be user access driven. Since Euro-BioImaging Nodes will continue to be part of the national research infrastructure system, Euro-BioImaging services will typically only constitute part of the overall imaging facility budget. Costs to provide internal and national user access would continue to be shared by the Member State and institution hosting the Node. Costs to provide new access for Euro-BioImaging users including especially transnational access will be shared by the Euro-BioImaging Member States and existing

44 44 I Euro-BioImaging Finance and Cost Plan European funding mechanisms, e.g. transnational and infrastructure access instruments under the Horizon 2020 programme. Types of funding envisioned for Euro-BioImaging Node operation: For internal and national user access, costs for Node operation and maintenance are envisioned to be covered by Member State/institution hosting the Node. A common Euro-BioImaging budget paid for by the Euro-BioImaging Member States will support national and transnational user access from Euro-BioImaging Member States. Other European funding mechanisms e.g. Horizon 2020 will provide for transnational user access. Based on the information provided in the Nodes applications, the estimated cost per user access is listed in Table 5.2. The estimates of annual operational costs for running Nodes in biological and medical imaging technologies, are about 20% of the Node construction costs (10% for molecular imaging), which means that 5 years of Node operation equal the costs for Node construction/upgrade Upgrade of Euro-BioImaging Nodes after several years of operation To guarantee highest-quality service and access to cutting-edge instrumentation for the users, Euro-BioImaging will request its Nodes to apply quality assurance measures including upgrade of instrumentation when required. On average in innovative imaging technologies, instruments have an average lifetime of 5-7 years with ca h usage per year. Even with the regular maintenance and upgrade, after this period instruments need to be replaced, requiring larger investments. The Euro-BioImaging Member States will define how future costs for these major upgrades will be funded. Potential scenarios are a) upgrade costs are recovered from user access fees over time in line with the fund the user concept; b) each Node negotiates directly with their national funder for upgrade investment according to national funding mechanisms and timeline.

45 Euro-BioImaging Finance and Cost Plan I Finance and Cost Plan for Euro-BioImaging Hub The Euro-BioImaging Hub (see Chapter 4.1) will become a newly created international organisation that will carry out coordinating and supporting activities for Euro- BioImaging at European level such as supporting user access, training, and data management Euro-BioImaging Hub construction The Hub will require the physical infrastructure to carry out its coordinating and support services to users and Nodes (Table 5.3 sums related costs). The construction of the required building and data centre will be financed by the hosting member state, which might provide existing suitable building(s) or build the Hub from scratch. The building(s) which may be fully centralized or partially decentralized depending on how the hub-hosting country(ies) consider the defined services can best be provided and delivered would host the Hub coordination and support services for Euro-BioImaging in user access, data management, training and administration, by providing office space for the Director and management as well as for the Hub technical staff, meeting and training rooms for training services, and rooms for common data services based on the recommended storage and compute capacity: Hub construction will be financed by the Hub hosting country For administrative and coordination tasks, the Hub will comprise office space for senior management and staff, as well as meeting and social rooms For training activities, the Hub will comprise office space for technology and training experts, small and large meeting rooms, computer lab, laboratory space, rooms for instrumentation The data centre will comprise space for data storage and compute facilities as well as space for cooling devices and emergency devices. The projected building size (gross floor space) is ca m 2 for hosting Euro- BioImaging Hub coordination and support activities of a medium sized Hub supporting Users per year at 25 Nodes. The Hub building should anticipate the likely growth of the infrastructure in its first years of operation. Technical requirements for training services for Euro-BioImaging Node staff For training of Node staff in cutting-edge imaging technologies, the latest instrumentation in each imaging domain will need to be offered for the duration of the courses at the Hub to keep Euro-BioImaging staff at the cutting edge of imaging technology development. The required instrumentation will typically be provided for training Type of Cost Building: Staff offices, training labs, instrument rooms and data centre Equipment Data Centre Storage 2 Million / 1 petabyte) Equipment Data Centre Compute 2 Million / 2kCPU) Approximate Cost 15 Million 4 Million 4 Million Total 23 Million Table 5.3: Euro-BioImaging Hub for 25 Nodes Construction costs

46 46 I Euro-BioImaging Finance and Cost Plan Data Storage Services Small Hub Medium Hub Large Hub Users per year, (# of Nodes) (15) 750-1,000 (25) 1,500-2,200 (50) Total Image Data produced per year (in terabytes) Reference data storage in common repository (in terabytes) 1,470 3,238 6, ,030 3,445 Steady state cloud storage (in terabytes) ,723 Table 5.4: Scaled Data Storage Services for Euro-BioImaging. Estimated projections for size of required common data storage capacity in TBs stored per year. Number of dataset sizes are based on the response from Proof-of- Concept Studies providers and Euro-BioImaging Node Expressions of Interest applications. The steady-state cloud provision will need to be reviewed in the future, and the actual implementation will depend on emerging technologies and capabilities. purposes by Euro-BioImaging s industrial and academic technology development partners and constantly be exchanged to reflect current imaging technology development. Therefore imaging instrumentation training laboratories appropriately prepped with correct utilities, temperature control, low vibration and EMI etc. to host the equipment should be foreseen at the Hub. Technical requirements of data services The needs for image data storage and compute capacity for a common image data repository have been calculated based on the experience in Euro-BioImaging s proofof-concept pilot operation and on the data provided in the response to the 1 st Open Call. Table 5.4 gives an overview of the requirements for the three Hub scenarios. Even at a constant number of Users and Nodes, the data production rate per User and Node can be expected to increase over time, due to advances in detector and IT technologies. In addition, the volume of the reference data in the common data repository will increase over time during Euro-BioImaging data, as most reference data sets are expected to be provided and served to the community long-term. The investment for the IT infrastructure of the Common Data Centre can be ramped up over the first three years Operation of Euro-BioImaging Hub Operation costs focus on staff working at the Hub and the running costs of the data infrastructure The Euro-BioImaging Hub plans to administer a common Euro-BioImaging budget set up by the Euro-BioImaging Member States for Hub operation. The shares in the common Euro-BioImaging budget and the conditions for contribution will be discussed and decided with the future Euro-BioImaging Member States as represented in the Interim Board and laid down in the statutes of the Euro-BioImaging legal framework. The costs of the Euro-BioImaging Hub will largely focus on staff required to support users and support executive management of Euro-BioImaging. It is anticipated that the Hub operation costs will increase within the first five years linked to the number

47 Euro-BioImaging Finance and Cost Plan I Total number FTE Small Hub Medium Hub Large Hub Figure 5.4: Scalability of staff numbers at the Hub over time and depending on number of supported Nodes. of users accessing Euro-BioImaging Nodes requiring a higher level of support and hence a higher member of staff at the Hub. Capacity for training and data management activities will also need to increase over time at the Hub and the Nodes with the increase in user number. Major costs for running the Hub will be, for example, the electricity for cooling and running the data centre. The Euro-BioImaging Hub would need to employ the staff for conducting the supporting and coordinating activities described in Chapter 4.1. It is expected that the Hub will start operation with a reduced number of staff in the fi rst year before it reaches its full size in the third year as outlined in Figure 5.4. Absolutely essential staff positions for infrastructure implementation and operation in the fi rst year are underlined. Hub staff will support all Hub activities: Executive management: For realizing the tasks of the Euro-BioImaging Hub Executive Management at the Director s Office, the staff will comprise the Executive Director, a personal assistant, administrative staff for support, a legal advisor, an external relations and strategy coordinator, a finance administrator, a public relations coordinator including industry relations. Administration of user access: The Hub Director Office will coordinate and host the user web-access tool, user management and administer all incoming user project proposals during the evaluation procedure. The Hub will also manage the quality management for user access e.g. online tools for receiving user feedback and measuring user satisfaction, Node performance as well as research data output for publications by using Euro-BioImaging. For managing the user access, the Hub will engage an access coordinator, a website manager, and a website support officer. Common data centre plus support and coordination of common data infrastructure activities: For supporting the common data centre and supporting the Nodes in their activities related to data management and infrastructure, the Hub will employ a data infrastructure coordinator, one staff for running the common data repository(ies), one operational manager of the IT infrastructure (storage and capacity), one systems administrator.

48 48 I Euro-BioImaging Finance and Cost Plan Support of user access: Two technical experts (one at each Community-Specific Sections) will address user requests for technical advice e.g. identifying the most appropriate imaging technology and related Node. In addition, they will support the scientific evaluation procedure of user proposals by assigning the proposals to the relevant experts on the scientific evaluation panel. Support and coordination of training activities: The coordination of Euro- BioImaging community-specific training activities and training courses will require a training expert at each Community-Specific Section. More staff will be hired in the future when Euro-BioImaging is increasing the portfolio of training courses at the Nodes as well as courses organised and provided by the Hub. Type of Cost Hub operation (15 Nodes, 450 User per year) TOTAL (annual costs in 3. year) 12 (+3) staff positions (average 75,000) Meetings and travel Running costs Approximate Operation Cost 2,425 Million 1,125 Million 0,300 Million 1,000 Million Hub operation (25 Nodes, 750 User per year) TOTAL (annual costs in 3. year) 15 (+4) staff positions (average 75,000) Meetings and travel Running costs 2,975 Million 1,425 Million 0,300 Million 1,250 Million Table 5.5: Euro-BioImaging Hub Operation costs

49 Euro-BioImaging Impact and Outreach I 49 6 Euro-BioImaging Impact and Outreach By offering open access to imaging technologies for all European researchers, Euro-BioImaging is having a major impact on the European Research Area, is supporting the objectives of the Innovation Union, and is providing Europe the means to address the grand societal challenges as described below1823. Euro-BioImaging is in continuous communication with all involved Stakeholders and will reach out to users, providers, decision-makers, international infrastructure partners, industry, etc. using, amongst other means, the established tools from the Preparatory Phase such as the Euro-BioImaging website, regular newsletters, and annual meetings of the Stakeholders and Users communities1924. Over 2200 users wait for Euro-BioImaging construction to access technologies 6.1 Euro-BioImaging impact Scientific impact Over 2,200 well-defined research projects provided by European scientists and collected in the 1 st Open Call for Nodes are waiting to be carried out as soon as Euro-BioImaging is launched. Because of Euro-BioImaging, these researchers (and many more) will gain access to a broader range of much-needed imaging technologies thereby resulting in more discoveries in inter-disciplinary scientific areas, more high-impact publications, a greater number of innovations and technology developments, and extensive collaborations between researchers all over Europe. The pure number of projects shows that Euro-BioImaging will drive European research in the 23 Please see deliverables D3.13 and D3.14 for the detailed Euro-BioImaging impact study on 24 Please see deliverable D5.7 to D5.10 for the detailed description of the Euro-BioImaging outreach and communication strategy. Scientific Publications Enabled by the Proof-of-Concept Studies (PCS) in 2012 A measurable indicator of Euro-BioImaging s scientific impact are the results obtained through opening access to high quality imaging facilities during the Proof-of-Concept-Studies (PCS). 32 projects have already led to publications in peer-reviewed journals, and another at least 22 manuscripts are under review or have been prepared for submission. This impressive scientific output underlines the importance and impact of Euro-BioImaging to biomedical discoveries. As publications are a major success indicator, Euro-BioImaging will continue to assess the number of publications resulting from data acquired in the Euro-BioImaging infrastructure.

50 50 I Euro-BioImaging Impact and Outreach Both local and transnational users will benefit from construction of Nodes imaging domain and beyond and will enable a higher number of research projects compared to the situation if Euro-BioImaging would not exist. By offering scientists (transnational) access to the required imaging technologies that are not available at their home institution the dependency on and the limitation of scientific projects by the locally available resources will be removed. Upgrades of already operating facilities and the construction of new facilities will significantly increase the ability to conduct high-impact research for scientists located in the immediate vicinity of the Nodes as well, because 50% of the newly created capacity will be dedicated to internal users. By so doing, local researchers will also benefit from increased access to additional imaging capacities, which would not be established without Euro- BioImaging. International multi-disciplinary projects supported by Euro-BioImaging will increase the potential for scientific breakthroughs, potentially also in new research fields, that may not currently be represented by the national imaging community. In the Open Call, this additional transnational aspect regarding the scientific impact of Euro-BioImaging was revealed: because Euro-BioImaging addresses a large variety of different research fields, it clearly enables multi-disciplinary projects. Research proposals came as expected from scientists in biological and medical research (including molecular, structural, cell, developmental and neurobiology, translational research, preclinical and clinical research) of which many are relevant to human health ranging from fundamental biological research into the processes underlying the development of important human diseases to clinically-relevant research into improved therapies and diagnostic tools. Demonstrating the interdisciplinary nature of Euro-BioImaging, research proposals also came from users representing numerous other scientific fields e.g. nano- and material science, engineering, physics, chemistry, marine research, plant biology, soil science research, fuel research, food research and others requested access to the imaging technologies provided in the PCS but also to be provided in the future Euro-BioImaging Nodes. Enabling multi-disciplinary projects at the Nodes is expected to lead to positive synergetic effects and significant new discoveries across the various scientific fields mentioned above. By bringing researchers of different scientific backgrounds together at the Nodes, Euro-BioImaging will also support the building of interdisciplinary activities and collaborations. Euro-BioImaging is already and will further generate an infrastructure of top-level highly competitive and world-leading imaging facilities the Euro-BioImaging Nodes offering access, training and data management at the highest level delivered by the best experts in the field. Euro-BioImaging has positive pan-european as well as regional impact Although Euro-BioImaging is a pan-european infrastructure and consequently its major impact is and should be assessed at the European level, it also has a major regional impact through the location of the Euro-BioImaging Nodes. Securing the status of a Euro-BioImaging Node will generate additional benefits for the respective imaging facility and the regional scientific community by increasing its competitiveness and attractiveness in various aspects. The Euro-BioImaging Node status confirms the facility s high significance in the European imaging landscape. By facilitating interactions with the international imaging community the international visibility of the facility and indeed the local scientific community using the facility will be increased. It will attract additional international users, which in turn will lead to an increase in attractiveness of the facility for vendors of imaging technology (a single lab is not representative for the market, core facilities with a larger more varied user pool are).

51 Euro-BioImaging Impact and Outreach I 51 The manufacturers may then provide commercial solutions for specific problems or together with the Node develop and test innovative and demand-driven solutions that might be commercialized later. Nodes will benefit from Euro-BioImaging s close communication with national and international funding bodies in Europe e.g. by increased awareness of the needs of the imaging community and the importance of adequate funding. The Euro-BioImaging Quality Seal will attract young and talented scientists and promote international knowledge exchange. The possibility to serve international customers with varied, inter-disciplinary scientific questions and imaging technology applications together with the Euro-BioImaging training strategy for facility staff will lead to increased knowledge and expertise at the core facilities, which will both further improve the services for the internal users as well as boosting the facilities own science and technology development. In addition to access provision, standardized and high quality training of tomorrow s researchers in imaging technologies and coordinated access to image data repositories, including data management and analysis tools, are essential infrastructures to ensure the excellence of European life science. Euro-BioImaging has identified this correlation and by improving the current situation in these two fields will extend its scientific impact. Furthermore, the close collaboration of Euro-BioImaging with all ESFRI Biological and Medical Sciences Research Infrastructures will support Europe to finally overcome the fragmentation of the European research landscape Economic impact Euro-BioImaging Economic Impact on European Research Area Besides the major impact of Euro-BioImaging on the European Research Area with regard to innovation and competitiveness, it is expected that Europe will benefit economically from Euro-BioImaging. The following economic benefits have been identified: By opening access to a complete range of cutting-edge imaging technologies while at the same time sharing the costs of their deployment, Euro-BioImaging will provide European funding agencies and European Member States national budgets a much better return on investment for biological and medical imaging platforms. Implementing the Euro-BioImaging infrastructure with its Nodes distributed in different regions of Europe will certainly bring new job opportunities and perspectives for researchers, engineers, administrative and related staff ( Brain gain instead of brain drain ). Access to the latest state-of-the-art imaging technologies is a major attractor when recruiting top-level international leaders in scientific research and in particular, leading EU researchers that have left for the USA to improve access to research infrastructure may be attracted to return to Europe. Better return on investment for individual countries The innovative technology development environment built around Euro- BioImaging Nodes as technology test-beds stimulates the founding of new start-up companies across Europe, or of new products from existing European

52 52 I Euro-BioImaging Impact and Outreach Euro-BioImaging stimulates innovation and technology development The coordination and harmonization of access to imaging technologies across Europe will overcome the existing duplication of infrastructure investments in the Member States Emerging differences in the level of equipment of researchers in different European regions will get harmonized companies that are currently world market leaders. Euro-BioImaging fosters the commercialization of newly developed imaging technologies or imaging related services. The competitiveness of existing companies will be increased by joint technology development with Euro-BioImaging, new inventions and access to the innovative imaging platforms. The inclusion of the imaging industry has been endorsed by the Euro-BioImaging Industry Board, which comprises currently more than 50 vendors and producers of biological and medical imaging equipment. Perhaps for the first time, all European imaging companies can speak with one voice. In many European countries a large fraction of national research infrastructure investments with a collective total of about 202 million Euros have already been made into potential future Nodes of Euro-BioImaging that have formally expressed their interest to contribute their capacity to the pan-european infrastructure (see Chapter 5). Imaging technologies have formally been incorporated into the national infrastructure and/or research roadmaps of 9 European countries. In addition, in 23 countries national imaging chapters have been founded that are now promoting the process of national roadmap incorporation of Euro-BioImaging and infrastructure funding. In recognition that these funding commitments are a credible demonstration of politicians and national funders having been convinced by the project s value and impact, Euro-BioImaging is clearly seen as a much better return on investment into imaging infrastructure than any alternative. Because these investments are now coupled to open user access, many more scientists are reached and will profit from fundamentally improved research conditions than by comparable investments in the past, which benefit typically only a few (single labs or departments rather than open access for EU researchers). The coordination and harmonization of access to imaging technologies across Europe will overcome the existing duplication of infrastructure investments in the Member States. This is especially relevant to researchers from Member States in which access to imaging infrastructure is not yet well established or from Member States in which budget cuts have led to decreases of available research funds (e.g. Spain2025, Greece2126 etc.). Without Euro-BioImaging, researchers in these countries would quickly fall behind and it would be very hard and expensive to bridge the arising gap later. By offering these scientists the opportunity to access the imaging technologies they need in neighbouring countries, Euro-BioImaging will also harmonize emerging differences in the level of equipment of researchers in different European regions. The commitment across Europe to support imaging infrastructure in Euro-BioImaging will also provide for long-term sustainability, which is achieved through the realization of access fees collected from a broad base of users. Euro-BioImaging, through its Proof-of-Concept Studies and also through analysis of currently running and successfully self-supporting European imaging facilities in the First Open Call for Nodes, has proven the feasibility of this expectation and has mapped out the roadmap of how to get there. 25 After more than doubling its investment in science between the late 1990s and 2009, Spain has cut the science budget by 39% since Greek research budgets have been cut by about 35% and salaries of research personnel cut by almost 50%. Nature Materials 12, (2013) doi: /nmat3726http://

53 Euro-BioImaging Impact and Outreach I 53 The best young scientists quickly move to the best international environment for their research. By creating highly-visible and competitive Nodes that ensured by Euro- BioImaging s quality management continuously offer the most needed cutting-edge imaging technologies and highest-quality services to the next generation of scientific leaders, Euro-BioImaging will allow Europe to attract the best talents from other countries rather than losing its own stars to such countries. Additionally, the construction of new or upgrades of existing imaging facilities in different European regions will create new job opportunities for high potentials, including for researchers, engineers, technical and administrative professions, benefitting the European economy by attracting the best professionals to the world-class research and technology environment created by Euro-BioImaging. Euro-BioImaging will increase Europe s innovation potential Euro-BioImaging facilitates the continuous development of new emerging imaging techniques and holds a great potential for innovation. Euro-BioImaging Nodes benefitting from the continuous interaction with external users (e.g. serving international customers with various scientific questions and imaging technology applications) are enabled to push the limits of innovative techniques according to their demands and to drive the further technological development of their instruments through extensive collaborations with manufacturers of imaging instruments (e.g. Leica, Nikon, Zeiss etc). Besides the scientific impact, the technological progress also holds great potential for economic impact. Newly developed imaging applications might lead to the generation of new patents, creating commercial value to the patent holder and/ or after extensive testing at the facilities, may be further developed or commercialized by companies. The increased and concentrated usage of emerging technologies by many users from different sites in Europe adds to the further dissemination and acquisition of these innovative technologies by the broad scientific community. The innovative technology development environment around Euro-BioImaging Nodes also stimulates the founding of new companies across Europe, or as mentioned above of new products from existing European companies that are currently world market leaders, both of which may commercialize newly developed imaging technologies or provide imaging related services. Another positive economic aspect is that the competitiveness of existing companies will be increased by joint technology development with Euro-BioImaging, new inventions and access to the innovative imaging platforms. Euro-BioImaging Industry Board Euro-BioImaging s opportunity to boost Europe s innovation and economic potential has been realized by many innovation-driven biomedical, -optical and biopharmaceutical companies. From a formal perspective, the inclusion of the imaging industry in Euro-BioImaging has been endorsed by the Euro-BioImaging Industry Board, which comprises currently more than 50 vendors and producers of biological and medical imaging equipment. The Industry Board has published an official position paper that summarizes why the European bioimaging industry regards the implementation of Euro-BioImaging of key importance for Europe2227 : Euro-BioImaging will allow Europe to attract the best talents from other countries rather than losing its own stars to such countries The innovative technology development environment around Euro-BioImaging Nodes stimulates the founding of new companies across Europe More than 50 vendors and producers of biological and medical imaging equipment closely follow the development of Euro- BioImaging 27 For more information on the Industry Board, please refer to Euro-BioImaging Industry Board Position Paper on

54 54 I Euro-BioImaging Impact and Outreach Companies will open a position for an Industry Board Manager who will be part of the Hub. A single pan-european infrastructure will unite Europe s national strengths and add value to make Europe internationally leading in imaging research. Euro-BioImaging will strengthen Europe s leadership in developing and implementing cutting-edge imaging technologies. Through Euro-BioImaging, companies can access the best expertise in Europe in order to develop the next generation of imaging instruments. Euro-BioImaging nodes will provide the test ground for manufacturers to validate their new innovative technologies in their early phases together with the users. Euro-BioImaging will provide a clear pipeline for commercialization of new technology developments, including early user access and timely evaluation of market potential, thereby accelerating innovation. Industry will be able to communicate with the broad Euro-BioImaging user community to learn about new and challenging applications for existing and future innovative technologies. Euro-BioImaging allows coordination of common training programmes with industry at the European level, thereby opening these programs also to the new European Member States and Associated Countries. The Euro-BioImaging Industry Board has expressed its strong wish to continue its active participation in Euro-BioImaging in the operational phase. The current members plan to open a position for a manager who shall be financed by the Industry Board (e.g. via an annual membership fee) and who will be physically located at the Euro-BioImaging Hub as part of the Hub staff. This person shall organise regular Industry Board meetings and maintain and update a dedicated webpage. In addition, this person shall inform the Board on countries specific activities in imaging, co-organise common activities with and at Nodes, co-organise training activities with and for industry among further activities Societal impact The societal impact is being assessed through the combined impact of the scientific and economic measures described above including but not limited to: The quality of life for patients will be improved by increasing the number of patients having access to stateof-the-art medical imaging technologies The massively improved research conditions for life scientists will increase European competitiveness, lead to brain gain instead of brain drain and open new research fields to European research and fundamentally advance the molecular understanding of health and disease. New and faster drug development will be enabled, leading to better diagnosis, therapy and disease prevention. The quality of life for patients will be improved by increasing the number of patients having access to state-of-the-art medical imaging technologies. Healthcare costs can be reduced due to early diagnosis and identification of people at risk. By harmonizing existing and emerging differences in available imaging infrastructure in different Member States, Euro-BioImaging will make sure no country falls behind in the rapid development of imaging technologies and will offer all European scientists the highest-quality access and service in imaging. Euro-BioImaging will increase Europe s knowledge-based industry and competitiveness, and foster the development and utilization of intellectual property. It will enable European life scientists to tackle the Grand Societal Challenges (Box 6).

55 Euro-BioImaging Impact and Outreach I 55 Box 6 How Euro-BioImaging will Support Researchers to Address the Grand Societal Challenges Health, demographic change and wellbeing by: Visualizing the molecular basis of human health and disease in living cells and in animal models Offering non-invasive technologies for imaging of early disease states to allow effective intervention Enabling new and faster drug development leading to better diagnosis, therapy and disease prevention. Food security, sustainable agriculture, marine and maritime research, and the bio-economy by: Providing imaging platforms for plant, animal and marine sciences essential for understanding plant and life stock disease and to understand the ocean ecosystem For example, Plant biology is an area of great importance as the impact of climate change and the increasing demand for food means that new ways must be found to increase crop yields and increase crop resistance to extreme conditions such as drought and flooding. Inclusive and innovative societies by: Enabling European scientists to conduct world-class research for increasing Europe s knowledge-based industry and competitiveness Providing open access to image data and software tools online repositories Training and sharing of expertise and best practice in imaging technologies and facility management across the ERA (mentorship programmes) Driving innovation in imaging technologies in collaboration with industry.

56 56 I Euro-BioImaging Impact and Outreach Euro-BioImaging impact to date Euro-BioImaging has already laid the foundation for achieving the measures for the future of Euro-BioImaging through a coordinated and harmonized approach towards its goals during the Preparatory Phase: Significant impact on European research output, imaging communities, national investment into imaging infrastructure etc. was already made during Euro-BioImaging Preparatory Phase Euro-BioImaging has completed the only pan European-level comprehensive analysis of the needs of researchers in imaging technologies revealing an urgent need for opening access to facilities, and improved training and data management in imaging technologies (Euro-BioImaging survey in 2011; Euro-BioImaging Proof-of-Concept Studies in 2012, see Chapter 2). Through the 6 months duration test run of the infrastructure model, Euro- BioImaging already contributed to the scientific productivity in Europe, improving the opportunity for, and the quality of research by enriching the landscape of imaging technologies available for research with an outcome of more than 32 articles published and another 22 in press/in preparation(euro-bioimaging Proof-of- Concept Studies in 2012). Euro-BioImaging facilitated the establishment of national imaging initiatives in 23 different European countries. By so doing, Euro-BioImaging has demonstrated that it is an important tool for overcoming the fragmentation of imaging communities and has brought visible progress in this domain. Euro-BioImaging activity has already led to national investments into imaging research infrastructures and coordination of imaging initiatives in many European countries (e.g. in France, Czech Republic, Poland, Denmark, United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Belgium, Hungary, The Netherlands). In 9 European member states, Euro-BioImaging is also on the national roadmap for research infrastructures, in most cases with high priority (Poland, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Hungary, Sweden, United Kingdom, Finland, Czech Republic). Euro-BioImaging has triggered identification and communication of industry needs in a coordinated and harmonized way. Euro-BioImaging has achieved reaching a large number of stakeholders across all of Europe: Euro-BioImaging is supported by more than 3000 individual stakeholders, 250 Associated Partners, and 38 Legal Partners of the Preparatory Phase representing major European and national research organisations and funders in 28 countries.

57 Euro-BioImaging Impact and Outreach I Euro-BioImaging The Outreach Platform Euro-BioImaging has already developed to become the European communication platform for European scientists and stakeholders that are involved in biological and medical imaging technologies. Euro-BioImaging will serve the biggest scientifi c user community in Europe composed of approximately 0.5 million European life scientists. Its currently more than 3,000 interested stakeholders come from: Universities and academic institutions (e.g. life scientists interested in being future users, imaging facilities staff interested as future providers) 23 national imaging communities Other European research infrastructures Non-European imaging infrastructures Scientific communities and organisations Research ministries European, national and regional funding organisations Industry. Through continuous communication with the stakeholders representing 28 different countries, Euro-BioImaging has secured the interest and participation of future users, providers, industry, and representatives of countries and funders in the Preparatory Phase Euro-BioImaging contributes towards overcoming the fragmentation of imaging communities in Europe Since early 2010, the self-organisation of biological and medical imaging communities at the national level has been started in most European Member States in particular triggered by the desire to participate in Euro-BioImaging and thereby achieve the pan-european integration of national imaging communities. Currently, 24 national networks of existing imaging facilities 28 and major infrastructure providers have already formed with different degrees of deployment. It is expected that more national communities will organise themselves in the future and participate in Euro-BioImaging initiatives and activities. In many cases the formation of the national imaging communities that permits them to speak with one voice to national funders, has already led to new investments in national imaging infrastructure as well as coordinated activities for inclusion of Euro-BioImaging in national research infrastructure roadmaps (in most cases earmarked as high priority). Euro-BioImaging supports the formation and collaboration of national imaging communities Euro-BioImaging will support national imaging communities to prepare their participation in future Euro-BioImaging Open Calls for Nodes, increase their visibility in Europe and beyond, exchange best practice on facility management and user access, exchange of new technical developments in the fi eld, establish sustainable career options for facility managers, and provide a forum for common grant applications and research policy discussions especially regarding user access funding together with European and national funders. The fi gure below shows the vital relationship between Euro-BioImaging and the national communities. Euro-BioImaging intends to carry on this most valuable communication process with the scientifi c communities in Europe also in the future years. 28

58 58 I Euro-BioImaging Impact and Outreach National Imaging Initiatives Figure 6.1: Relation between Euro-BioImaging and national communities. Over 3000 stakeholders follow the development of Euro-BioImaging through a variety of communication channels In the years to come, Euro-BioImaging will continue to support communication among its stakeholders: imaging technology users, providers, national imaging initiatives etc. and policy-makers in the research infrastructure fi eld. Euro-BioImaging will continue to use the diverse communication channels, which have been successfully implemented during the Preparatory Phase, such as the Euro-BioImaging webportal, biannual newsletters, annual stakeholder meetings, and participation in imaging communities events Collaboration with other ESFRI Biological and Medical Sciences Research Infrastructures Euro-BioImaging is one of 13 biological and medical sciences research infrastructure projects (BMS RIs) on the ESFRI (European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures) roadmap. The BMS infrastructure projects offer complementary services for the European scientists, and together they will shape and strongly support the European Research Area by providing the foundation for innovative research to address the grand societal challenges. Collaboration between Euro-BioImaging and Instruct in EM technologies Instruct is the pan-european infrastructure for integrated structural biology and provides user access to crystallography, NMR and electron microscopy, cryo-electron tomography, X-ray microscopy and correlative microscopy. Euro-BioImaging and Instruct have signed and published an offi cial collaboration agreement on coordinated access to electron microscopy technologies. Instruct will focus on provision of EM

59 Euro-BioImaging Impact and Outreach I 59 methods in Ångstrom to nanometer resolution, in the context of correlation with molecular structures, whereas Euro-BioImaging will focus on the provision of EM methods in nanometer to micrometer resolution (ultrastructural morphology; correlation to light microscopy at the cellular and higher scales of biological organisation). Wherever possible, Euro-BioImaging and Instruct will offer joint access to bridging technologies such as correlative light electron microscopy in future infrastructure nodes. Euro-BioImaging will collaborate with Instruct on access to electron microscopy technologies Collaboration between Euro-BioImaging and ELIXIR in data repositories ELIXIR is the sustainable pan-european infrastructure for biological information in Europe supporting life science research by collection, curation, storage, archiving, integration and deployment of biomolecular data. ELIXIR (Coordinator) and Euro- BioImaging are closely working together in the EU-funded BioMedBridges project on the use case Interoperability of large scale image data sets from different biological scales. Currently, ELIXIR and Euro-BioImaging are preparing a collaboration agreement on prototype repositories for biological imaging data (required e.g. for high-throughput microscopy) and structure federated image archives for biological imaging. Euro-BioImaging and ELIXIR will build together repositories for biological imaging data Collaboration with ELIXIR, Infrafrontier and BBMRI in BioMedBridges BioMedBridges WP6 coordinated by Euro-BioImaging takes advantage of the close cooperation within the BMS ESFRI cluster (for WP6 in particular Euro- BioImaging, BBMRI, Infrafrontier, ELIXIR) to bridge the standards available in each domain by defining image data exchange formats and unambiguous mapping of the different ontologies onto each other in close collaboration with the standards developed in BioMedBridges. This enables the programmatic access to image and derived phenotypic data from cells, mice and human tissues and thus enables the quantitative comparison of cellular phenotypes of individual genes, with morphologies of diseased tissues in genetic mouse models and human patients. This integration of image data from different scales creates a direct and powerful predictor of biomarkers as well as drug targets for human diseases. Synergies between Euro-BioImaging and ECRIN in imaging in clinical trials While Euro-BioImaging supports research that creates hypotheses that will lead to clinical trials, the European Clinical Research Infrastructure Network (ECRIN) supports standard non-imaging trial aspects such consultancy for clinical trial feasibility or clinical sites selection and provides services including regulatory process for trial authorization, monitoring and data management. A collaboration agreement for common procedures to refer and support users will be developed by Euro-BioImaging and ECRIN. Synergies between Euro-BioImaging and EATRIS in imaging in translational research EATRIS (European Infrastructure for Translational Medicine) aims at transforming scientific discoveries into innovative and high impact medicines, diagnostics and medical devices through European collaborative consortia of academic, industrial and governmental partners. EATRIS and Euro-BioImaging will closely work together to help their users by providing complementary modalities and infrastructures in the fields of imaging and tracers and imaging-based biomarkers. Currently, contacts

60 60 I Euro-BioImaging Impact and Outreach have been established and an overall collaboration agreement will be established to federate complementary activities in the two distributed infrastructures. Given the mission of EATRIS in the biopharmaceutical chain, it will be an important partner for successful Euro-BioImaging users that seek further development of their projects towards the market Collaboration with imaging research infrastructures in the global landscape In the global research arena, large-scale infrastructure projects with similar approaches to Euro-BioImaging already exist or their launch has been triggered by Euro-BioImaging. They could mark potential competitors with regard to enabling cutting-edge research, technology development, industry contacts, brain drain, high-level expertise staff etc. Rather than competing, Euro-BioImaging has started a dialogue with a number of international partners in the biological and medical imaging field, leading to signed collaboration agreements and concrete plans for collaborations. Such formalized cooperation has been concluded for Australia and India. AMMRF and NIF will share best practices in training, user access, facility management and operational procedures with Euro- BioImaging The Indian bioimaging community established India- BioImaging with the help of Euro- BioImaging Collaboration and synergies with Australian facilities On the 8 th of May 2014, The Australian National Imaging Facility NIF and Euro- BioImaging have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for a collaborative framework to share operational procedures for delivery of infrastructure, jointly develop career progression paths for scientists providing imaging services, develop common protocols for large scale multi-centre and multi-national studies and develop a shared open online training platform. The National Imaging Facility (NIF), founded in 2007, embraces state-of-the-art imaging facilities in all mainland state capital cities in Australia. In the 2010 Strategic Roadmap for Research Infrastructure, imaging was identified as a platform technology, providing cross-cutting capability required across Australia s research priorities. Key to the NIF platform is the discovery of new biomarkers, development tools for assessing and monitoring pre-clinical models of disease, and translation of these tools to human research. NIF advocates that all flagship instruments have an associated Facility Fellow, an experienced scientist, who understands the technology and has a wide-ranging perspective of its applications. The Australian Microscopy & Microanalysis Research Facility (AMMRF) and Euro- BioImaging have signed an official collaboration agreement on the exchange of best practices in training, user access and facility management. The AMMRF is a well-established multi-node, open access national research facility with 9 years of experience in the leadership and operation of distributed research infrastructures in Australia. The collaboration is strongly supported by the Australian Government, and Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, the EU Commissioner for Research, recognized during her visit at the AMMRF that the distributed network is an excellent model for the EU research environment. Collaboration with India BioImaging In 2012, the inclusive network called India BioImaging of Indian biological imaging facilities was inaugurated, which creates a sustainable national infrastructure by opening resources to Indian users, and creating national and international visibility by speaking with one voice to stakeholders, funders and international collaboration partners such as Euro-BioImaging. Similar to Euro-BioImaging, a major focus of India

61 BioImaging is optimizing user access to imaging facilities, developing future common training activities for users as well as high-level training for facility staff in all aspects of facility management, and developing common solutions for image date storage and analysis. In September 2013, Euro-BioImaging has signed an official collaboration framework with India BioImaging on training activities for Indian facility staff, and the exchange of best practices in training, user access and facility management. Euro-BioImaging Impact and Outreach I 61

62 62 I Roadmap to Implementation 7 Roadmap to Implementation The Euro-BioImaging Business Plan (publication date May 2014) presents the Preparatory Phase recommendations for Euro-BioImaging infrastructure construction and operation, and provides the required information for interested European countries and international organisations as a basis for their decision-making regarding participation in Euro-BioImaging. To secure the successful implementation of the infrastructure, the Euro-BioImaging consortium achieved important milestones during the Preparatory Phase, on which Euro-BioImaging Interim Phase builds on. Confirming the importance of the outcome of the Preparatory Phase, 12 European countries and EMBL have established the Euro-BioImaging Interim Board during March 2014, which is now the decision-making body through the Interim Phase towards construction. 7.1 Results Achieved by End of Preparatory Phase (May 2014) The Preparatory Phase of Euro-BioImaging concludes at the end of May 2014 and has achieved the following: The Euro-BioImaging Steering Committee has delivered their consensus agreement on the infrastructure model, governance structure, finance model and user access policy in the form of this business plan provided to the Interim Board. The 1 st Open Call for future Euro-BioImaging Nodes has been successfully concluded. Now, the 1 st generation of Nodes is negotiating with national funders regarding financial support for their capacity upgrade for participation in Euro- BioImaging. The Euro-BioImaging preparatory phase Consortium demonstrated that the proposed infrastructure model brings benefits to both infrastructure providers and users, and efficiently delivers high-level scientific results. The Euro-BioImaging Memorandum of Understanding is signed by twelve European countries and EMBL. The signatories form the Euro-BioImaging Interim Board, which has been launched on March 31 st, 2014, in Brussels.

63 Roadmap to Implementation I Euro-BioImaging Interim Board: the Decision-Making Body during Interim Phase During the Preparatory Phase, the Steering Committee guided the activities of Euro-BioImaging and together the Consortium partners delivered the complete set of recommendations for infrastructure implementation as summarized in this business plan. The smooth transition to implementation was ensured through the Euro- BioImaging Intergovernmental Working Group (IWG), which was launched in January 2013 in Vienna. This group comprised national representatives from 21 countries, who were mandated by their ministries and/or national funding bodies, and EMBL. At the end of 2013, the Euro-BioImaging Intergovernmental Working Group (IWG) agreed on the Euro-BioImaging Memorandum of Understanding that brings Member States together to implement the Euro-BioImaging infrastructure. By May 2014, the MoU had been signed by 12 countries (Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Israel, Italy, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, The Netherlands, United Kingdom) and EMBL, and more countries have indicated that they wish to follow soon. The signatories constitute the Euro-BioImaging Interim Board that will govern the Interim Phase prior to operation. Its key tasks are to decide on the legal model and governance structure, finance plan and user access policy based on the models recommended by the Preparatory Phase partners. In parallel, the Interim Board invites its members to make proposals to host the Euro-BioImaging Hub. Based on the Memorandum of Understanding, the Interim Board Members will work together to define and decide on the statutes of an International Consortium Agreement, which will serve as Euro-BioImaging s charter and will ultimately be established as a pan-european research infrastructure supported and owned by its Member States and International Organisations. The Euro-BioImaging Intergovernmental Working Group comprised representatives from 21 European countries: Austria / Belgium / Bulgaria / Czech Republic / Denmark / Estonia / Finland / France / Greece / Hungary / Ireland / Israel / Italy / The Netherlands / Norway / Poland / Portugal / Slovakia / Spain /

64 64 I Roadmap to Implementation The Euro-BioImaging Interim Board comprises 12 Members, with Delegates from 12 European countries and EMBL: Belgium / Czech Republic / EMBL/ Finland / France / Israel / Italy / The Netherlands / Norway/ Poland / Slovakia / Spain / United Kingdom. The group remains open for new countries and international organisations to join at anytime.