The MERIL portal gives access to an inventory of the most excellent research infrastructures (RIs) of more-than-national relevance in Europe across all scientific domains, including the humanities and social sciences. It aims to be a user-friendly resource for information commonly needed by researchers seeking access to an infrastructure and by policy-makers analysing the current state of research infrastructure in Europe. The database will be continuously updated with RIs that meet the criteria for inclusion (see below). RIs are only published on the portal once a minimum of data has been provided by the facility managers.

RIs included in the database have been evaluated through a national or European process on the basis of commonly agreed criteria and recognised as being of the highest standards and relevance to research in Europe. Inclusion in the database is thus a label of quality. The database may also serve as a basis for policy and planning on research infrastructures in the future.

Each research infrastructure in the database is described in a standard format, with a limited amount of core information and a web link to each individual research infrastructure. 

MERIL is intended to: 

• Improve scientists' access to resources, services and facilities offered by modern research infrastructures;
• Promote individual research infrastructures by raising their profile and fostering a greater sense of partnership across Europe;
• Allow policy-makers to assess the state of research infrastructures throughout Europe to pinpoint gaps or duplications and make decisions about where best to direct funding;
• Stimulate discussion among policy-makers and research funders on RI funding and joint investment, where appropriate;
• Support the exchange of expertise and best practice among RI coordinators with a view to optimising the operation and exploitation of research infrastructures;
• Contribute with this state-of-the-art analysis to the planning for future needs in cooperation with the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI).

Note: The MERIL database is currently being populated; a full version of the MERIL database will be launched in 2013.