EPOS Implementation Phase project

The EPOS IP project is coordinated by the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (Italy). The project coordinator is Massimo Cocco, who is responsible for the global coordination and organization of the activities and chairs the EPOS Project Development Board.

The EPOS Implementation Phase project is a key step in EPOS’ vision of a pan-European Earth science monitoring platform. Building on the EPOS Preparatory Phase project (2010-2014), it will deliver not only a suite of domain-specific and mulitdisciplinary services in one platform, but also the legal and governance, and financial frameworks to ensure the future operation and sustainability of the platform.

Funded under the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 programme, the EPOS IP project is organized in three main strategic actions:

• Implementation of services for data provision in an effective legal and financial framework;
• Harmonisation of EPOS implementation with national priorities and strategies;
• Management guaranteeing an efficient running of the work plan from the technical, administrative, and financial perspective as well as ensuring effective links with the establishment of EPOS-ERIC.

The EPOS IP project will implement for its four-years duration a realistic roadmap toward EPOS construction making its objectives measureable and achievable. EPOS IP project will build the EPOS integrated research platform by:

• implementing Thematic Core Services (TCS) for the diverse communities contributing to EPOS;
• ensuring Thematic Core Services integration within the full EPOS framework, covering legal, governance and financial aspects, and technical connection to Integrated Core Services;
• developing the Integrated Core Services to provide interoperability, data management and access to services;
• creating optimal conditions for the central coordination of the EPOS-ERIC (Executive Coordination Office - ECO - and ICS-Central hub);
• ensuring long-term financial & legal sustainability for EPOS-ERIC and implemented services;
• harmonizing the EPOS implementation with national priorities and strategies;
• further gaining users’ trust and awareness of the impact of the new research exploitation platform;
• integrating EPOS in the global science community to enhance the EPOS services;
• fostering training, outreach and international cooperation.

The EPOS IP will guarantee the further enhancement of the technical architecture, including the development of innovative components (such as the design of ICS distributed resources), and the further enlargement of the membership supporting the ERIC establishment.