ELIXIR ensures that researchers can access and share critical life sciences data by integrating key resources including:
- databases
- software tools
- findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable (FAIR) data services
- training materials
- cloud storage
- supercomputers
At its core, ELIXIR is an interconnected infrastructure, fostering collaboration, expertise exchange and best practices across the continent.
With 21 ELIXIR Nodes across Europe established to date, the organisation plays a vital role in advancing life science research.
With headquarters at the Wellcome Genome Campus in Hinxton, ELIXIR’s UK Node is led by the Earlham Institute and The University of Manchester, and combines 28 British research performing institutions.
Horizon Europe funding
ELIXIR was included in the European Strategy Forum for Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) roadmap in 2006.
This was the first detailed plan, developed by Member States and supported by the European Commission, which planned long-term investments in research infrastructures across Europe.
As well as obtaining funding from Member States, ELIXIR has received EU funding since 2007, starting with a ‘preparatory phase’ grant supporting its establishment.
A fully operational research infrastructure
Under Horizon 2020, ELIXIR was recognised as a critical infrastructure and awarded €20 million through ELIXIR-EXCELERATE (2015 to 2019).
This funding played a pivotal role in ELIXIR’s transition to a fully operational research infrastructure.
Other Horizon 2020 projects facilitated bioinformatics services development and collaboration with stakeholders.
With Horizon Europe funding, ELIXIR continues to grow, strengthening its bioinformatics services, enhancing international collaboration, and increasing its networking and visibility beyond national funding streams.
The power of international collaboration
ELIXIR’s success is deeply rooted in its ability to forge meaningful international partnerships.
By aligning standards, avoiding duplication, and pooling expertise, ELIXIR has developed a unified European research infrastructure, demonstrating the global impact of ELIXIR’s Nodes.
ELIXIR remains committed to seeking further Horizon Europe and international funding to support and expand its research infrastructure and encourages any organisation considering Horizon Europe funding to:
- align EU projects with the organisation’s long-term strategic goals
- ensure necessary skills within the organisation
- build capacity for leadership
- involve external stakeholders to ensure projects are relevant, well-supported and widely adopted
Research Infrastructures programme
Horizon Europe’s Research Infrastructures programme funds ESFRI infrastructures like ELIXIR, supporting coordination, new services, inter-infrastructure connections, and contributions to the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC).
ELIXIR has received funding since Framework Programme 6, coordinating life sciences projects which include:
- CORBEL
- EOSC-LIFE
- leading the BY-COVID project, which facilitated infectious disease data provision during the COVID-19 pandemic
The ELIXIR-STEERS project team at its annual meeting in Brussels, January 2025. Credit: ELIXIR
As well as INFRADEV-3 projects including ELIXIR-CONVERGE and ELIXIR-STEERS which support infrastructure operations and membership expansion, strengthening ELIXIR Nodes for national and international research communities.
Beyond the Research Infrastructures programme, ELIXIR also engages with Digital Europe and EU4Health funding.
Building a strong international consortium
Securing research infrastructure funding is about more than just a strong application, it requires strategic alignment, expert partnerships and robust project management.
ELIXIR’s approach is centred on:
- prioritising projects aligned with its five-year scientific plan, ensuring long-term sustainability and a European or global impact
- providing strong project management expertise, particularly in post-award phases
- collaborating with National Contact Points and European Commission Project Officers to fine-tune proposals and navigate the funding landscape
- leveraging external project management agencies when extra capacity is needed
For projects where ELIXIR is the sole infrastructure in a proposal, it selects partners from its ELIXIR Nodes network based on expertise.
Many of ELIXIR’s EU-funded projects are multi-infrastructure collaborations, where ELIXIR relies on its established European and global networks, which have strengthened relationships with academia, industry, and complementary research infrastructures over 11 years.
Top image: Credit: courtneyk, E+ via Getty Images.