Under the Microscope: MIRRI-FIRM consolidates the foundations of MIRRI-ERIC

MIRRI-ERIC is taking its next step. MIRRI-FIRM (Making MIRRI FAIR for Globally Impactful Research), a Horizon Europe project coordinated by MIRRI-ERIC, officially started in October 2026, with its kick-off meeting held on 5 and 6 October. The aim is not to create something new, but to consolidate what already exists: a stronger, more FAIR, better connected and more sustainable infrastructure for Europe's microbial resources.

MIRRI-FIRM is funded under the Horizon Europe call "Consolidation of the Research Infrastructure landscape" and will run for 48 months, until September 2030. It brings together 25 beneficiary organisations from 13 European countries, including MIRRI-ERIC's current Member States, prospective Member States and the Integrated Carbon Observation System (ICOS-ERIC).

Partners from outside Europe will also take part in selected activities, extending the project's reach beyond the continent.

The work is organised around the pillars that make a research infrastructure last. The project will reinforce the governance and operational capacity of MIRRI-ERIC's Central Coordinating Unit and define its long-term sustainability strategy. It will upgrade the MIRRI catalogue and the MIRRI Information System, so that collections can submit data independently and users find richer, interoperable information.

MIRRI-FIRM will empower the National Nodes through training, governance best practices, quality management checklists and greening guidelines for collection operations. It will co-create the service portfolio with researchers, industry and other users. Finally, it will broaden MIRRI-ERIC's membership, deepen cooperation with industry and international partners, and make the infrastructure's socioeconomic impact visible.

 

What to expect first

As the project is just starting, its first deliverables lay the foundations for everything that follows. The first outputs with a direct impact on the community will arrive during the first year. In July 2027, a first version of the toolkit for monitoring the socioeconomic impact of MIRRI-ERIC will describe its impact categories and pathways and provide guidelines for collecting and reporting indicators.

By September 2027, the project will publish the first version of the FAIR metadata model and integration guidelines, defining a common metadata schema and ontologies for the MIRRI-ERIC catalogue. It will also complete a report on emerging user needs, which will guide the co-creation of services.

The community will be able to follow this progress through the MIRRI-FIRM website page that will soon be launched and the webinar series, which foresees 36 webinars across the project.

 

Under the Microscope: the best way to keep on track of MIRRI-ERIC

Every first Friday of each month, MIRRI-ERIC releases a news article from the series "Under the Microscope", showcasing key developments, from funded research projects to collaboration opportunities and milestones across our network. Stay tuned!