Mobilising LEAPS substantial collective knowledge, experience and expertise in synchrotron and FEL science and technology, and Research Infrastructure management will benefit European science and society.
LEAPS also aims to play an integrating role for countries with less developed communities and infrastructure for research and innovation, in Europe and beyond. Specifically, the LEAPS Partnership aims to:
- Encourage and facilitate discussions and exchanges among its members on issues relevant to shaping the technology of and future science at accelerator-based light sources from a worldwide perspective. Promote a collective strategy across European facilities, including the development of specialisations at individual facilities.
- Engage with stakeholders and organisations such as the European Commission and National funding agencies in all matters relevant to the development and long term sustainability of Synchrotron and FEL facilities with the objective of informing and shaping future policies and funding opportunities.
- Engage with the current and potential user communities to discuss their respective needs and anticipate and meet future challenges.
- Strengthen interactions with industry, to exploit more fully the potential of Synchrotron and FEL facilities for industrial research and to develop and exploit enabling technology.
- Cooperate with other Research Infrastructures engaged in the analysis and innovative use of materials and bio-structures, such as laser-, electron-, and neutron-based facilities.
- Develop and periodically update a landscape document outlining the impact of European synchrotron and FEL facilities and needs for developments in order to meet the scientific and societal challenges of the future.
- Develop and periodically update roadmaps and action plans for key technologies.
- Support and promote:
- Standardisation of access procedures compliant with the European Charter for Access to Research Infrastructures;
- Greater coherence in the developments of data-policy, -handling, -storage, -analysis, -access and the promotion of Open Science;
- Education and training of students, scientists and facility staff;
- Enhanced mobility or exchange of staff to facilitate career development and improve the supply of rare skills;
- Communication and outreach to inform and educate the general public;
- Sustainable means of transnational access to aid the integration of scientists from countries with less developed infrastructure for research and innovation
- Development of common performance indicators (including socio-economic);
The Strategy describes the main features of LEAPS; aims and ambitions, organisational structure and working strategy as well as the major decisions to be taken to maintain and strengthen European leadership in X-ray science.
In this context, it addresses the resources required in order for LEAPS members to fully play their integrating role in Europe for the benefit of European science and citizens, and for which the support of the upcoming framework programme 9 – Horizon Europe – will be solicited.