CERCAGINYS is a platform for accessing the scientific and technical infrastructures of the 41 CERCA centres. The website, which only went live this September, lists 198 facilities classified by category and quality accreditations.
The initiative aims to optimise access to these facilities for the entire scientific and technological community and, in particular, to highlight that they are also open to private businesses and the industrial sector so they can access the services of highly qualified technical staff.
The proposal is part of a wider project, linked to the Infrastructure Action Plan funded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation through the CERCA Institute. The agreement with the Ministry acknowledges the existence of a system of centres in Catalonia and opens the door to the future creation of a virtual Unique Science and Technology Infrastructure (ICTS, in the Spanish and Catalan acronym).
In addition to the portal, the project is setting up an operating protocol that includes CERCA tariffs, earmarks a large part of the budget to equipment repair and maintenance and offers specific training in quality management, accreditations and open data management.
