Research infrastructures may be ‘single-sited’ (single resource at a single location), ‘distributed’ (a network of distributed resources, including infrastructures based on Grid type architectures), or ‘virtual’ (the service being provided electronically).

“EU relevance” of the infrastructures means that there is a need for a common approach to enhance the capacity of research in the major policy fields of the EU. As an example, a need for research infrastructure capacity in food, transport and energy at EU level has been identified by the EC. This means basically that there is still a lack of common approach to data management, policies and research on these topics. Therefore, these topics are on the list of targeted existing research infrastructures to be upgraded and strengthened at EU level. They are on the list of targeted actions of the Work Programme on research infrastructure. Only one infrastructure with EU dimension will be supported financially on each topic of this priority list but the list is indicative and can be eventually adapted.