Europe has led the field of neutron science for several decades thanks to an active network of neutron sources. The landscape is currently experiencing dramatic changes as several facilities have reached the end of their life cycle. To help uphold Europe's position in the global research environment and further strengthen the network of facilities for research using neutrons, fifteen European countries are jointly building the world's most powerful neutron source in Sweden. The European Spallation Source ERIC (ESS) in Lund is now 43% complete. Its unique capabilities will greatly exceed those of today's leading neutron sources, enabling new opportunities for researchers in many fields, including material and life sciences, engineering, energy, the environment, cultural heritage and fundamental physics. Following the prioritisation of ESS by ESFRI and the Competitiveness Council, eighteen partner organisations successfully delivered the Horizon 2020 project BrightnESS, from 2015 to 2018. BrightnESS-2 will build on the legacy of BrightnESS, but shifts the focus from risk mitigation to long-term sustainability of ESS and its community. This both supports, and depends upon, the long-term sustainability of a vibrant neutron scattering community and a network of complementary facilities in Europe. With a timeline of 42 months, and 16 partners from Europe and South Africa, BrightnESS-2 will ensure that i) neutron facilities in Europe provide access and services in a strategic and coordinated manner to user communities from Europe and beyond, ii) in-kind contributions to ESS are managed as part of the R&D collaborative work, iii) ESS boosts the innovation potential of the facility and fosters strategic partnerships with industry, iv) ESS reinforces its position as a truly global research infrastructure, v) ESS delivers positive socio-economic impact. The proposal has been endorsed through Letters of Support by 13 institutes and neutron sources from around the world.

The Solid-State Neutron Detector – SoNDe – project aims to develop a high-resolution neutron detector technique that will enable the construction of position-sensitive neutron detectors for high-flux sources, such as the upcoming European Spallation Source (ESS). Moreover, by avoiding the use of 3He in this detector the 3He-shortage, which might otherwise impede the construction of such large-scale facilities, can be alleviated. The main features of the envisioned detector technique are: • high-flux capacity, capable of handling the peak-flux of up-to-date spallation sources • high-resolution down to 3 mm by direct imaging technique, higher resolutions available by interpolation • no beam stop necessary, thus enabling investigations with direct beam intensity • independence of 3He • modularity, improving maintenance characteristics of today’s neutron detectors Detectors of these kind will be capable of usage in a wide array of neutron instruments at facilities which use neutrons to conduct there research, among them the Institute Laue-Langevin (ILL) in France, the Maier-Leibnitz-Zentrum (MLZ, former FRMII) in Germany, Laboratoire Leon Brillion (LLB) in France and ISIS in the United Kingdom which are in operation at the moment and the upcoming ESS. At these facilities neutrons are used as a probe in a wide array of fields, ranging from material science to develop new and smart materials, chemical and biological science to develop new drugs for improved treatment of a wide range of medical conditions, magnetic studies for the development of future information storage technology to archeology, probing historical artifacts without physically destroying them. All these fields nowadays rely heavily on neutrons scattering facilities in their research and thus are in need of a reliable, high-quality neutron detection technique, which will be able to perform well at the new high-flux facilities such as ESS and simultaneously avoid the problem of 3He shortage.

The European Spallation Source being constructed in Lund, Sweden will provide the user community with a neutron source of unprecedented brightness. By 2025, a suite of 15 instruments will be served by a high-brightness moderator system placed above the spallation target. The ESS infrastructure, consisting of the proton linac, the target station, and the instrument halls, allows for implementation of a second source below the spallation target. We propose to develop a second neutron source with a high-intensity moderator able to (1) deliver a larger total cold neutron flux, (2) provide high intensities at longer wavelengths in the spectral regions of Cold (4-10 Å), Very Cold (10-40 Å), and Ultra Cold (several 100 Å) neutrons, as opposed to Thermal and Cold neutrons delivered by the top moderator. Offering both unprecedented brilliance, flux, and spectral range in a single facility, this upgrade will make ESS the most versatile neutron source in the world and will further strengthen the leadership of Europe in neutron science. The new source will boost several areas of condensed matter research such as imaging and spin-echo, and will provide outstanding opportunities in fundamental physics investigations of the laws of nature at a precision unattainable anywhere else. At the heart of the proposed system is a volumetric liquid deuterium moderator. Based on proven technology, its performance will be optimized in a detailed engineering study. This moderator will be complemented by secondary sources to provide intense beams of Very- and Ultra-Cold Neutrons. To perform the required development of advanced moderator and reflector materials, and find the best solutions for their implementation at ESS, the HighNESS consortium pursues an integrated approach, combining complementary expertise of its partners in simulations, neutronic design and engineering, material characterization using neutron scattering techniques, and the targeted scientific applications of slow neutrons

Research infrastructures (RIs) operate in complex innovation ecosystems where industry plays an increasingly important role. Pan-EU initiatives, such as the Innovation Union or the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures, revolutionise the way public and private sectors work together, and help to create structural frameworks which are needed to foster such collaborations. While initiatives of this type play a crucial role in enabling industry to become a full partner of research infrastructures whether it is as a user, a supplier, or a co-creator, they do not fully utilise or engage Industrial Liaison and Contact Officers (ILOs/ICOs) which could have a central role in boosting the RI-industry partnerships. To address this gap, ENRIITC will build a permanent pan-European network of ILOs and ICOs. This will be done in a community-driven, cross-functional, cross-sectoral, multiplier-based way which will be inclusive and enable all interested parties to actively participate. By supporting the establishment of strategic, cross-border partnerships between industry and research infrastructures, ENRIITC will enable win-win results for all parties. With a timeline of 36 months, 11 partners from seven countries, and a strong support from 61 Associates from around Europe, ENRIITC will 1) establish a sustainable European network of ILOs and ICOs which enables mutual learning, 2) map collaboration potential between research infrastructures and industry, 3) develop and refine strategies and best practices to foster these collaborations, 4) raise awareness among industry for collaboration opportunities at research infrastructures, and demonstrate impact. The consortium and Associates will jointly balance the need for expertise from diverse scientific areas, combine it with practical insights from establishing relations with various industries operating in different sectors and geographical contexts, and propagate it among their networks.

ERIC – European Research Infrastructure Consortium – is a European legal instrument specifically created for European multi-side and multi-country owned Research Infrastructures (RI) in 2009. Since then 18 ERICs have been created in almost all different scientific domains. The European Commission (EC) had initiated an informal networking event, twice a year, where Managers of existing ERICs and scientists of future RI who want to use the ERIC instrument can discuss shared challenges and meet also national policy makers establishing a platform for exchange of solutions and best practises. With the H2020 call “INFRASUPP-01-2018-2019 Policy and international cooperation measures for research infrastructures” the EC is willing to fund a project for more formal and structural collaboration and coordination of ERICs. This project is set up by all existing ERICs and those consortia, which have at least submitted their Stage-1 application to implement the objectives of the call: • aim at strengthening coordination and networking reinforcing the informal ERIC network or its successor framework; • support the organisation of specific meetings, targeted thematic workshops focussing on shared challenges such as the development of internal procurement rules, harmonised reporting, VAT exemption practices, insurances and pensions policies and training of governance bodies representatives; • support ERICs in preparation, based on best practices; • support common communication and outreach activities and strengthening external representation of ERICs' as a stakeholder in consultations and other policy actions that could affect them.