Page 12 - Roadmap

MOMENTUM OF INNOVATION

2.4.1. General RI types by physical location

By physical location, we distinguish between single-sited, distributed and virtual research infrastructures.

• Single-sited RIs operate in a clearly identifiable, single location.
• Distributed RIs operate in multiple, mutually complementary sites (measuring stations, collections, laboratories).
• Virtual RIs comprise electronically available services, networks, archives, databases and databanks. The latter group does
not necessarily exclude the other two: many distributed research infrastructures are also virtual ones. For instance, in
the case of Euro-BioImaging (an ESFRI research infrastructure) virtual research infrastructure means access to shared
databases and software. Other infrastructures with essentially purely virtual elements include SHARE-ERIC and the e-
infrastructures.

2.4.2. RI types by geographic location from a Hungarian perspective

Looking at the RIs currently available to Hungarian researchers, the following types of research infrastructures may be
distinguished by geographic location:

• flarge-scale research infrastructure partly located in Hungary (ELI-ALPS – distributed RI)
• single-sited, distributed and/or virtual research infrastructures not located in Hungary for which Hungarian researchers
have access to (e.g. HL-LHC, European XFEL, ELIXIR, Euro-BioImaging, SHARE-ERIC, ESS-ERIC, PRACE);
• smaller RIs located in Hungary in a single site or as a researcher cooperation network offering access to local, national
and, as the case may be, foreign researchers (see RI groups and RIs in Chapter 7).

2.4.3. Thematic categorisation of RI types by field of science

Research infrastructures can also be grouped thematically. The ESFRI Roadmap 2016 sets the following 6 thematic areas:

• energy;
• environment;
• health and food sciences;
• physical sciences and engineering
• social and cultural innovation;
• e-infrastructures.

The National Roadmap classifies domestic RIs according to these 6 areas. This classification caused difficulty in many cases
due to the interdisciplinary nature of research themes or to the extensive scope of the ESFRI categories (health and food,
physical sciences and engineering).

Background research infrastructures should also be considered in the context of the thematic classification. This category
includes national and international information networks enabling high speed data transmission and communication
and library services, in particular, systems ensuring access to international publications. Special background infrastructures
include, in particular, open access to research results, which is enabled by the increased penetration of internet technology
and the evolution of scientific communication. The National Research, Development and Innovation Office is committed

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