A new ELIXIR Focus Group has been created to help define the future of ELIXIR expert groups known as Communities. The ELIXIR Communities Future Focus Group will develop a strategic proposal for the evolution of ELIXIR Communities to be considered at the ELIXIR Scientific Programme 2024-28 mid-term review in June 2026.
ELIXIR Communities bring together experts across ELIXIR Nodes, and externally, to coordinate activities within specific life science or technical areas. There are currently 18 Communities spanning disciplines such as cancer data, plant sciences and biodiversity, and technologies such as Galaxy and proteomics.
The new Focus Group has already started consultations with a wide range of ELIXIR consortium members, particularly Community and Platform co-leads, Community members and Heads of Node. It will explore ways to maximise the impact of ELIXIR Communities whilst ensuring effective use of available funding. The group will address alignment with ELIXIR’s scientific priorities, financial sustainability and governance and operational processes, and will consider individual Communities as well as the portfolio as a whole.
ELIXIR Communities are important grassroots groups that connect ELIXIR’s services and technology (via the ELIXIR Platforms) with researchers, users and other research infrastructures. The Focus Group will ensure they remain relevant and effective in the years ahead.
- Communities Future Focus Group webpage - including a join link and co-lead contact details
- All ELIXIR Communities - including the Communities Handbook