ADVANCING ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH IN ROMANIA: RO-ACTRIS-ERIC PROJECT

RO-ACTRIS-ERIC project is advancing Romania’s capabilities in atmospheric research by modernizing cutting-edge infrastructure and promoting collaboration. Officially launched on December 19, 2024, and running through November 30, 2029, this five-year initiative focuses on intensive research, infrastructure development, and national and international cooperation. Funded by the "Smart Growth, Digitalization, and Financial Instruments Program MY SMIS 309113," the project enables Romania to rise its position in atmospheric research. Through infrastructure modernization, securing certifications, and fostering collaboration, Romania is enhancing its contribution to the ACTRIS network. 

Romania’s contribution to ACTRIS is represented through the ACTRIS-RO initiative, which unites Romanian research institutions to advance atmospheric studies, with some of them forming the consortium for the RO-ACTRIS-ERIC project. The project is coordinated by INOE, with key partners including Babeș-Bolyai University (UBB), Dunărea de Jos University of Galați (UDJG), and the National Institute for Aerospace Research "Elie Carafoli" (INCAS). These institutions collaborate within the ACTRIS-RO Joint Research Unit, pooling their expertise and resources to strengthen the European network. RO-ACTRIS-ERIC project is dedicated to modernizing research infrastructure, obtaining international certifications, and ensuring Romania’s active participation in ACTRIS, with a focus on three specific objectives.

The first objective is to enhance research infrastructure by acquiring advanced research and IT equipment, improving data collection and processing capabilities, and expanding the research team through training. The second objective aims at achieving certification for national facilities. This involves certifying at least six components of ACTRIS-RO located in Bucharest, Cluj, and Galați, and implementing standardized procedures to guarantee the accuracy and reliability of collected data. Additionally, the project will prepare INCAS’s airborne research platform, ATMOSLAB, for certification, enabling Romania to contribute to international atmospheric studies. The third objective focuses on Romania’s contribution to ACTRIS operations. This includes supplying high-quality data to the ACTRIS database, engaging in calibration and training activities with other ACTRIS centers, and deploying IT solutions for automatic data processing and transmission.