The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) has launched JRC Labs as a Service, an initiative introduced in September 2026 to facilitate access to specialised research infrastructures and technical expertise for European businesses. The programme aims to strengthen innovation, technology development and industrial competitiveness by helping companies overcome barriers to accessing advanced research facilities.
Turning research results into market-ready technologies often requires more than scientific expertise and intellectual property protection. Access to specialised testing facilities, technical equipment, validation services and reliable data can be essential for demonstrating technological feasibility, improving product performance and preparing innovations for industrial application. However, such infrastructures may be difficult to access, particularly for start-ups and SMEs with limited resources.
Through JRC Labs as a Service, start-ups, scale-ups, SMEs and larger companies established in EU Member States can access selected JRC research infrastructures and complementary technical services. The initiative enables businesses to test and validate technologies, materials and products, address technical and measurement challenges, and generate evidence to support further development and market deployment.
The programme operates on a full-cost, paid-access basis, complementing existing commercial services. Importantly, participating organisations retain full ownership of the intellectual property and deliverables resulting from their access projects. This provides a framework for companies seeking to further develop and exploit their innovations while accessing specialised research capabilities.
The initiative also highlights the important role that research and technology infrastructures can play in bridging the gap between scientific discoveries and industrial application. By providing access to facilities and expertise that may not be available within individual companies, these infrastructures can help reduce technical uncertainty, support validation and demonstration activities, and strengthen the readiness of innovative technologies for investment and market uptake.
The JRC is inviting eligible organisations to submit proposals through calls for expressions of interest, with applications assessed according to technical feasibility, infrastructure availability and available resources. The first user access projects are expected to begin in January 2027.
By strengthening connections between research infrastructures and industry, JRC Labs as a Service contributes to broader European efforts to accelerate innovation and technology scale-up. The initiative demonstrates how access to specialised research capabilities can support companies in translating promising technologies into practical applications, creating new opportunities for industrial innovation, commercialisation and long-term economic value.
Further information on eligibility, access conditions and application procedures is available through the JRC Framework for Access to Research Infrastructures.