ESFRI Landscape Analysis 2024: A demand for advanced TEM solutions

The e-DREAM initiative has been mentioned in the recently published ESFRI Landscape Analysis 2024, as the network for Electron microscopy, one of the seven networks of the Analytical Research Infrastructures in Europe (ARIE). This recognition highlights e-DREAM as the network for Advanced Electron Microscopy which collects the major actors in electron microscopy. The ESFRI Landscape Analysis, first introduced in 2016, provides an extensive overview of the European Research Infrastructure (RI) ecosystem. It identifies major RIs and relevant projects across diverse research fields, while pinpointing critical gaps. The 2024 edition marks a significant evolution, incorporating trend analysis and showcasing the impacts of RI services. The report offers a comprehensive gap analysis based on user needs, covering RI services, technology, instrumentation, data aspects and societal and economic impacts. It spans various domains and dimensions, identifying priorities for future developments. As highlighted by the report, the rapid evolution of the European research ecosystem requires “strategic alignment, interoperability, openness, digital transformation adaptability, engagement with societal challenges, and support for cross-domain research”. The ESFRI Landscape Analysis 2024 report is divided into two main sections:

• Section 1 “Thematic Areas” provides an overview of the current landscape within each of the six ESFRI scientific domains (Data, Computing and Digital Research Infrastructures, Energy, Environment, Health and Food, Physical Sciences and Engineering, Social Sciences and Humanities), including assessments of status, services, impact, trends, gaps and needs.

• Section 2 “Cross-domain Trends and Challenges” offers a trans-disciplinary analysis, covering overarching issues such as technological innovation, sustainability, adaptive response to global challenges, ethical and societal responsibility.

The European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) is a key player in fostering scientific integration across Europe and enhancing its global scientific influence. By ensuring competitive and open access to high-quality RIs, ESFRI not only supports European scientific endeavours but also attracts top researchers worldwide. ESFRI’s activities are pivotal in shaping science policy by translating political goals into concrete advice for RIs in Europe. The inclusion of e-DREAM in the ESFRI Landscape Analysis 2024 underscores its significance in addressing the cooperation between European advanced electron microscopy laboratories, collaborative research and transnational user programmes. This acknowledgment highlights the alignment of this initiative with Europe’s strategic scientific priorities and its contribution to the broader European research landscape.