On the 31st of December 2025, the EU-funded project KM3NeT-INFRADEV2 came to an end. During 3 years (2023-2025), it provided strong support towards the full implementation of the KM3NeT Research Infrastructure (RI).
The objectives of KM3NeT-INFRADEV2 were multi-fold and divided into dedicated work packages (WPs): prepare a legal entity for the KM3NeT RI (WP2); accelerate the construction of the detector (WP3); develop data management and Open science practices (WP4); and demonstrate KM3NeT as a role-model RI in terms of socio-economic impact and sustainability (WP5).
The work carried out in each WP allowed for the achievement of major milestones for the KM3NeT Collaboration: the creation of the KM3NeT AISBL as the legal entity; the establishment of processes for the safe and efficient construction and operation of the telescope; the implementation of a data environment adapted to pluridisciplinary research and in line with FAIR principles; and the adoption of measures to enhance the socio-economic of KM3NeT and to reduce its environmental impact. All KM3NeT-INFRADEV2 outputs are made public on our website in order to disseminate the results of the project and so they can benefit the scientific community beyond the Collaboration. Moreover, these results will be continuously exploited to ensure the sustainable operation of KM3NeT and strengthen its scientific impact.
The project also provided the Collaboration with additional human and economic resources, allowing in particular for the recruitment of dedicated staff; reminding the constant support of the European Union in favour of KM3NeT, since the beginning of its Design study, in 2006. The end of KM3NeT-INFRADEV2, along with the establishment of the KM3NeT AISBL, also offers KM3NeT a graceful exit of the ESFRI Roadmap (2016-2025) and makes KM3NeT a strong candidate to become an ESFRI landmark.
Thanks to the teams involved for their work towards the full implementation of the KM3NeT RI!
