MIRRI-FIRM is a transformative project that builds on the ESFRI Landmark status of MIRRI-ERIC, Europe’s leading Research Infrastructure for
microbial biodiversity. The project will consolidate and expand MIRRI-ERIC’s role as the central, FAIR data-aligned infrastructure supporting
research and innovation across academia, industry, and society. By modernising and defragmenting Europe’s microbial resource landscape, MIRRI-
FIRM will enhance the accessibility, quality, and sustainability of microbial resources and associated data, enabling Europe to respond more
effectively to global challenges such as climate change, food security and safety, infectious disease surveillance, antimicrobial resistance, and
environmental pollution.
The project will strengthen the governance and operational capacity of MIRRI-ERIC’s Central Coordinating Unit, National Nodes, and microbial
Biological Resource Centres (mBRCs), equipping staff with advanced managerial and technical skills. It will upgrade and FAIRify the microbial
resources catalogue, harmonise quality management practices, and promote environmentally responsible operations. MIRRI-FIRM will also expand
MIRRI-ERIC’s membership to underrepresented regions, democratise access to services, and deepen engagement with industry and SMEs for greater
socioeconomic impact.
Strategic collaborations with European and global RIs will reinforce MIRRI-ERIC’s position as a cornerstone of microbial R&I in the European
Research Area, fully aligned with EU priorities such as One Health, the European Green Deal, and the Digital Europe Agenda. By improving the
interoperability of its data repository it will be able to integrate with leading repositories in the mid- long-term (e.g., MGnify, MycoBank,
MALDIBANK, Bioindustry 4.0) and onboarding the EOSC Federation, MIRRI-FIRM will accelerate Europe’s leadership in microbial sciences and
contribute to making the EU the most attractive destination for life sciences R&I by 2030.
microbial biodiversity. The project will consolidate and expand MIRRI-ERIC’s role as the central, FAIR data-aligned infrastructure supporting
research and innovation across academia, industry, and society. By modernising and defragmenting Europe’s microbial resource landscape, MIRRI-
FIRM will enhance the accessibility, quality, and sustainability of microbial resources and associated data, enabling Europe to respond more
effectively to global challenges such as climate change, food security and safety, infectious disease surveillance, antimicrobial resistance, and
environmental pollution.
The project will strengthen the governance and operational capacity of MIRRI-ERIC’s Central Coordinating Unit, National Nodes, and microbial
Biological Resource Centres (mBRCs), equipping staff with advanced managerial and technical skills. It will upgrade and FAIRify the microbial
resources catalogue, harmonise quality management practices, and promote environmentally responsible operations. MIRRI-FIRM will also expand
MIRRI-ERIC’s membership to underrepresented regions, democratise access to services, and deepen engagement with industry and SMEs for greater
socioeconomic impact.
Strategic collaborations with European and global RIs will reinforce MIRRI-ERIC’s position as a cornerstone of microbial R&I in the European
Research Area, fully aligned with EU priorities such as One Health, the European Green Deal, and the Digital Europe Agenda. By improving the
interoperability of its data repository it will be able to integrate with leading repositories in the mid- long-term (e.g., MGnify, MycoBank,
MALDIBANK, Bioindustry 4.0) and onboarding the EOSC Federation, MIRRI-FIRM will accelerate Europe’s leadership in microbial sciences and
contribute to making the EU the most attractive destination for life sciences R&I by 2030.