This funding application outlined the project ‘Strengthening the participation of the ACTRIS-RO consortium in the pan-European research infrastructure ACTRIS.’ Led by the National Institute for R&D in Optoelectronics (INOE 2000), the project involved a consortium including the ‘Elie Carafoli’ National Institute for Aerospace R&D (INCAS) and Babeș-Bolyai University (UBB). The primary goal was to consolidate Romania’s role within the ACTRIS infrastructure by aligning national facilities with the high standards required for full integration. Rather than focusing on major equipment acquisition, the project aimed to strengthen operational and organizational capacity. Key objectives included the establishment of a formal Joint Research Unit, the recruitment of three new researchers and two technicians, and the provision of advanced training for existing specialists. The plan was intended to modernize existing capabilities by upgrading a lidar system at UBB, calibrating photometers at both UBB and INOE, and enhancing two research aircraft at INCAS to meet ACTRIS requirements. The project was expected to culminate in a scientific pilot campaign to test the integrated infrastructure, with results planned for dissemination through at least eight scientific articles and eight international conference presentations.
The project ran between 2021 and 2023.