Building the Future: The Evolution of Europe’s First Digital Experimentation Infrastructure

SLICES-IP, a project launched in June 2026 as part of the Horizon Europe programme, is a significant step towards the realization of SLICES-RI as a fully operational European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC). This initiative aims to bridge the gap between years of planning and actual deployment, bringing the vision of a comprehensive research infrastructure closer to reality.

The digital landscape is rapidly evolving, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence, edge-cloud continuum, Internet of Things (IoT), 6G networks, and sustainable digital technologies. These developments are reshaping the design, connectivity, and operation of communication networks and distributed systems. As a result, conducting experiments in this complex environment has become increasingly challenging, requiring a large-scale, open, and controlled platform for researchers and innovators to test and validate new technologies under realistic conditions.

SLICES-RI, known as the Scientific Large-scale Infrastructure for Computing/Communication Experimental Studies – Research Infrastructure, is the first European research infrastructure dedicated to large-scale digital experimentation. Included in the ESFRI Roadmap since 2021, SLICES-RI aims to provide a reference platform for experimental research on digital infrastructures and services, offering a unique environment for designing, deploying, and validating next-generation Internet technologies.

The development of SLICES-RI is the culmination of more than a decade of collaborative efforts by research organizations across Europe. It builds upon the experience gained from national and regional experimental platforms developed over the years. The project’s evolution can be traced through a series of European initiatives, including the Horizon 2020 SLICES-DS and SLICES-SC projects, which laid the groundwork for the current phase.

SLICES-IP, running from June 2026 to May 2029 under Horizon Europe, aims to address critical questions and challenges to transition SLICES-RI into an operational ERIC. The project brings together 27 partners from 17 countries, combining expertise in networking, distributed systems, data management, cloud computing, IoT, 5G/6G wireless, and more. The focus is on consolidating the infrastructure, ensuring long-term sustainability, and establishing governance and services for researchers and innovators.

One of the key objectives of SLICES-IP is to finalize the creation of the SLICES-ERIC by securing commitments from Member States, implementing a sustainable financial model, and establishing harmonized access policies across national nodes. The project also aims to coordinate the deployment of operational services, providing researchers with a comprehensive set of tools for experiment design, resource allocation, execution, monitoring, data management, and reproducibility.

User engagement is a central aspect of SLICES-IP, with a focus on expanding the European community using SLICES-RI. The project will engage with researchers, industry stakeholders, and SMEs to understand their evolving needs and enhance the infrastructure accordingly. Training programs and educational resources will be provided to help users maximize the potential of the infrastructure.

Environmental sustainability and data management are also key priorities for SLICES-IP. The project will implement FAIR principles for data management, ensure regulatory compliance, and promote interoperability with the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC). Additionally, environmental indicators will be integrated into the infrastructure lifecycle to promote sustainability and minimize resource consumption.

By strengthening collaborations with other research infrastructures and international initiatives, SLICES-IP aims to reinforce Europe’s leadership in the digital infrastructure landscape. The project will focus on interoperability, knowledge sharing, and common evaluation approaches to position SLICES-RI as a reference platform for large-scale experimentation.

In conclusion, the launch of SLICES-IP marks a significant milestone in the journey towards establishing Europe’s first research infrastructure for large-scale digital experimentation. By providing an open and trusted environment for innovation, SLICES-RI aims to accelerate the development of next-generation digital technologies while promoting scientific excellence, technological sovereignty, and sustainable innovation.