Supporting European SMEs with smarter access to research infrastructures: Experience from three European projects

This report presents insights and outcomes from the "Tailor-made for SMEs Trans-national Access" (TamaTA) initiative, implemented within the EU-funded projects CALIPSOplus, LEAPS-INNOV and ReMade@ARI. These projects aimed to facilitate and expand access for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to advanced European research infrastructures (RIs), such as synchrotrons, neutron sources, ion sources, lasers, high magnetic fields and electron microscopes. Recognising the significant barriers SMEs face, including administrative complexity, cost and limited technical expertise, the initiative provided simplified, subsidised access models tailored to industrial needs.

TamaTA supported SMEs through a single-entry application systemfor all of the RIs, fast-track evaluation and expert guidance from experiment design to final reporting. The initiative demonstrated high satisfaction among SME users and enabled valuable R&D outcomes across diverse sectors such as health, materials, semiconductors, manufacturing and energy. With over 85 proposals received and strong feedback from participants, the programme highlights the critical role RIs can play in industrial innovation when aligned with SME requirements.

The report concludes that scaling up TamaTA, alongside dedicated scientific/technical support and coordinated outreach, could significantly enhance and speed SME innovation through engagement with RIs and maximise the societal and economic impact of Europe's world-leading infrastructure assets.