Becoming an EDIC

A permanent home for Europe's brain research infrastructure

EBRAINS is preparing to become a European Digital Infrastructure Consortium — an organisation owned and governed by the countries that take part in it.

Projects end. But the infrastructure will continue.

EBRAINS runs today mostly on project funding. The data, the brain atlases, the models and the people who keep them working need an organisation that outlasts any single grant. 

An EDIC would give EBRAINS a permanent legal form, governed by the countries that take part, with a budget built from their contributions in addition to projects. Participating countries would decide together what the infrastructure does, what it costs and how it is run. 

For the researchers who use EBRAINS, the aim is straightforward: the tools and the data stay available, and the people who support them stay in post.

What is an EDIC?

A European Digital Infrastructure Consortium is a legal form created under the Digital Decade Policy Programme 2030. It allows Member States to pool resources to build and run shared digital infrastructure. 

An EDIC is established by a decision of the European Commission, on the application of at least three Member States. The participating countries hold the majority of the votes in its governing body, and an EDIC stays open to any Member State that wishes to join later.

European Commission: European Digital Infrastructure Consortia
Where we stand

EBRAINS is advancing the preparations to become a European Digital Infrastructure Consortium (EDIC).

The founding documents for the proposed EBRAINS EDIC are now being prepared through the EBRAINS IMPLEMENT project.

Five EU Member States are ready to take part in the Board of Governmental Representatives (BGR), which will steer the preparation of the EDIC application, while discussions with several other countries are ongoing.

EBRAINS is also actively engaging with the wider EDIC community, participating in the Annual EDIC Gatherings organised by the European Commission in 2025 and 2026 and exchanging with established and emerging EDICs.

First EDIC Annual Gathering - Proceedings report

Latest on becoming an EDIC

See all news
Thomas Skordas, Deputy Director-General of DG CONNECT, opens the Second Annual EDIC Gathering.

EBRAINS joins the Second Annual EDIC Gathering in Brussels

On 30 September 2026, EBRAINS participated in the Second Annual EDIC Gathering, organised by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology (DG CONNECT) in Brussels.

Read more

First EDIC gathering in Brussels

EBRAINS participates in the First Annual EDIC Gathering in Brussels

EBRAINS participated in the First Annual European Digital Infrastructure Consortium (EDIC) Gathering, organised by the European Commission on 19–20 November 2025 in Brussels

Read more

Prof. Philippe Vernier highlighted the benefits of an EDIC status for EBRAINS

EDICs: Why they matter - takeaways from the “Future of Digital Investments in the EU” Conference in Aalborg

At the session "EDICs – Why, What and How?", held during the Future of Digital Investments in the EU, that took place on 2-3 July in Aalborg, experts from across Europe gathered to explore the evolving role of European Digital Infrastructure Consortia (EDICs) in shaping the continent’s digital future.

Read more

Why join the EBRAINS EDIC?

1. Shape Europe's brain research infrastructure

Member countries jointly define the strategic direction of Europe's brain research infrastructure by shaping its priorities, budget, governance and long-term development. 

Countries participating in the establishment of the EBRAINS EDIC will help write the rules and ensure the infrastructure responds to the needs of their national research communities.

2. Achieve more through shared European investment

Collaborate to develop and benefit from a shared European infrastructure that no single country could finance, develop and sustain alone, while avoiding duplication of tools and services at national level. 

EBRAINS brings together brain data, atlases, models, simulations tools and access to high-performance computing, helping countries to make more effective use of their investments in brain research.

3. Advance research for better brain health

Brain disorders are among Europe's greatest health and socioeconomic challenges. 

EBRAINS provides researchers and clinicians with shared data, models and tools to advance the understanding of the brain and to foster better diagnosis and treatment of brain disorders, contributing to national health priorities.

 

4. Boost European competitiveness and technological sovereignty

Contribute to Europe's leadership in neuroscience and brain-inspired AI by supporting shared digital capabilities, scientific innovation and the development of a sustainable European research infrastructure. 

5. Strengthen national research and innovation

Help national universities, hospitals and research centres connect to a European network of expertise, data, models, infrastructure and collaborative opportunities in neuroscience, AI, neurotechnology and digital health.

Countries involved so far

Any EU Member State or Associated Country can take part. 

A country joins the Board of Governmental Representatives by nominating a representative.

EDIC Map 2026
For governments

What taking part involves

Nominate a representative

Someone at governmental level who can speak for the country on governance and funding. The scientific community stays available to advise them.

Meet roughly every two months

The Board discusses the statutes, the contribution model, the host country, the appointment of a director and the policies the organisation will adopt.

No financial commitment at this stage

Nominating a representative does not commit a country to joining the EDIC or to any contribution.

Interested in taking part?

Contact us

We are glad to talk to any government, ministry or research council that would like to understand what joining would involve.

Create an account

EBRAINS is open and free. Sign up now for complete access to our tools and services.

Register