Estonian Research Infrastructures Roadmap (2019‑2023)

Abstract

The Estonian Research Infrastructures Roadmap (2019-2023) is a tool for planning nationally important research infrastructures. It is a list that shows the current status of nationally important research infrastructures and which is taken as the basis for long-term strategic decisions (including the allocation of grants). The research infrastructures mentioned on the roadmap can be both physical objects, network structures, and memberships in international research infrastructures or research infrastructure organizations. The purpose of compiling the roadmap is to have a complete picture of the most important working and emerging research infrastructures for Estonia. Inclusion in the roadmap is a prerequisite for receiving support under the conditions set by the Regulation on Funding Nationally Important Research Infrastructures.

The roadmap is updated regularly (in a 5-year cycle) to take into account changing needs and opportunities. The roadmap is approved by the Government of the Republic. Compiled and updated by the Estonian Research Council, the roadmap serves as a foundation for long-term investment decisions, ensuring that Estonia's research facilities align with both national priorities and international standards.

The Roadmap includes RIs that develop e-infrastructures for the dissemination of research data. The Natural History Archives and Information Network (NATARC) develops the structure of repositories and provides services and value tools for digital natural history collections. The Estonian e-Repository and Conservation of Collections (E-varamu) aims to improve the capabilities of memory institutions in preserving and digitising research information, and to develop a search portal "eVaramu" for accessing scientific information.

Overview

Country	Estonia
Start date	2019
Annual Budget	n/a
Responsible organisation(s)	Ministry | Funding institution
Target group(s)	Higher education institutes|Private R&D|Public research institutes
Policy instrument type	Information services and access to datasets

Background

Estonia adopted its first National Research Infrastructure (RI) Roadmap in 2010, which lists RIs of national importance. The Roadmap was updated in 2014 and in 2019. Under the regulation of the Minister of Education and Science, “Supporting Infrastructure of National Importance”, ETAG has been instructed to compile a new Estonian research infrastructure roadmap in 2024.

The National RI Roadmap objects are financed by EU Structural Funds (European Regional Development Fund, ERDF) to the end of 2023. The Core Facilities financing instrument – provides national funding for the running and maintenance costs of the research infrastructures (RIs) listed in National RI Roadmap and funded by EU Structural Funds. Funding is in principle allocated on a five-year basis, with a yearly call for submitting new (need-based) budgets. One of the latest improvements in terms of open access to research data is the founding of Datacite Estonian consortium. Through the consortium literally any researcher in Estonia can attach a DOI to research data.

Objective(s)

To identify and prioritize nationally significant research infrastructures requiring development or modernization.

Public access URL

https://etag.ee/en/funding/infrastructure-funding/estonian-research-infrastructures-roadmap/

https://etag.ee/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ETAg_Research_Infrastructure_Roadmap_2019.pdf

All tags

• Sustainable Infrastructures
• Estonia
• 2019
• Ministry
• Funding institution
• Higher education institutes
• Private R&D
• Public research institutes
• Strategies, agendas and plans
• Strategies for sustainable infrastructures

This work is published under the responsibility of the Secretary-General of the OECD. The opinions expressed and arguments employed herein do not necessarily reflect the official views of the Member countries of the OECD.

This document, as well as any data and map included herein, are without prejudice to the status of or sovereignty over any territory, to the delimitation of international frontiers and boundaries and to the name of any territory, city or area.

© OECD 2025

   Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

This work is made available under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence. By using this work, you accept to be bound by the terms of this licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Attribution – you must cite the work.

Translations – you must cite the original work, identify changes to the original and add the following text: In the event of any discrepancy between the original work and the translation, only the text of original work should be considered valid.

Adaptations – you must cite the original work and add the following text: This is an adaptation of an original work by the OECD. The opinions expressed and arguments employed in this adaptation should not be reported as representing the official views of the OECD or of its Member countries.

Third-party material – the licence does not apply to third-party material in the work. If using such material, you are responsible for obtaining permission from the third party and for any claims of infringement.

You must not use the OECD logo, visual identity or cover image without express permission or suggest the OECD endorses your use of the work.

Any dispute arising under this licence shall be settled by arbitration in accordance with the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) Arbitration Rules 2012. The seat of arbitration shall be Paris (France). The number of arbitrators shall be one.