ACTRIS (Aerosols, Clouds and Trace gases Research InfraStructure Network) was implemented between 2011 and 2015 as an Integrated Activity project under the European Commission’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7, GA: 262254). It represented the first European-funded initiative dedicated to establishing a coordinated research infrastructure for ground-based observations of aerosols, clouds, and short-lived trace gases, key atmospheric components influencing climate change, air quality, and human health.
The project built upon several major European research collaborations, including EARLINET, EUSAAR, Cloudnet, and CREATE, integrating their expertise and observational capacities into a unified framework. In parallel, the EUROCHAMP community contributed advanced atmospheric simulation chamber studies, supporting research on photochemical processes, aerosol formation, and their impacts on health and cultural heritage. This integration enabled ACTRIS to provide a comprehensive approach to investigating interactions between aerosols, clouds, radiation, and trace gases.
ACTRIS coordinated a European network of ground-based stations equipped with advanced atmospheric instrumentation, strengthening the ground-based component of the Earth Observing System. The infrastructure delivered long-term, high-quality observational data produced through standardized and harmonized procedures, while supporting transnational access to major research facilities. It also developed integration tools to enhance the calibration and validation of satellite sensors and to improve regional and global climate and air quality models.
Beyond scientific integration, ACTRIS fostered collaboration across Europe and with international partners, promoted the development of innovative atmospheric measurement technologies in partnership with SMEs, and supported the training of young scientists in atmospheric observations. Through these activities, the project laid the foundation for a sustainable European research infrastructure capable of supporting policy-relevant research on climate change and air quality.
More information about the project on the official archived website: https://arquivo.pt/wayback/20141121162233/http://www.actris.eu/