This CREMLIN proposal is to foster scientific cooperation between the Russian Federation and the European Union in the development and scientific exploitation of large-scale research infrastructures. It has been triggered by the recent so-called megascience projects initiative launched by and in the Russian Federation which is now very actively seeking European integration. The proposed megascience facilities have an enormous potential for the international scientific communities and represent a unique opportunity for the EU to engage in a strong collaborative framework with the Russian Federation. The CREMLIN proposal is a first and path finding step to identify, build and enhance scientific cooperation and strong enduring networks between European research infrastructures and the corresponding megascience facilities to maximize scientific returns. The proposal follows the specific recommendations of an EC Expert Group by devising concrete coordination and support measures for each megascience facility and by developing common best practice and policies on internationalisation and opening. CREMLIN will thus effectively contribute to better connect Russian RIs to the European Research Area.

This EURIZON project proposal is about European scientific and technical collaboration in the field of research infrastructures (RIs), and it includes in addition a special focus on coordination and support measures dedicated to support Ukrainian scientists and Ukrainian RIs as well as strengthening the RI landscape in Widening Countries. EURIZON is in fact the second part, or phase, of a four-year Horizon 2020 project that started in February 2020, under the name CREMLINplus. With the war against Ukraine that has begun in February 2022, the project was confronted with an absolutely extreme case of force majeure: the home country of 10 consortium participants – the Russian Federation – has invaded its neighbour country Ukraine, and has thus brought a devastating war into the heart of Europe. At the time when writing and submitting this proposal, the war is ongoing, and an end is not yet visible. The second phase of the project will keep a very high ambition, and will go beyond the current state of the art of collaboration around RIs, that has been already achieved in the first phase. The project will operate in two directions: (1) Technology development: the project allows European collaborative excellent teams to develop and deliver finest, new cutting-edge technologies for European RI including ESFRI landmarks and for RI upgrade projects currently underway, such as 4th-generation synchrotron projects, or for the instrumentation at modern neutron sources; (2) Strengthening RI landscape in Ukraine and in the Widening Countries: a number of coordination and support measures has been introduced in the second phase of the project to specifically support individual displaced scientists from Ukraine, to train RI staff at RI from Ukraine and Widening Countries, and to explore and develop science diplomacy measures dedicated to support the reconstruction of the Ukrainian RI landscape. The 27 European participants of the project have come together to build the broad and balanced consortium. They are the relevant entities in the domain of research infrastructures in Europe, and thus provide the necessary strength, commitment and power to implement the project plan.