How to Start a Node in Formation

This guide is for Associate Member institutions in countries that do not yet have a Full Member, who want to begin building towards a National Node.

Before you start: your institution must be an activated Associate Member. See Apply for membership.

What a Node in Formation is — and is not

A Node in Formation is a national coordination structure led by one or several Associate Members, preparing the transition towards an officially established Full Member National Node. It recognises that some national ecosystems need a progressive approach before a fully operational node under a Full Member institution is realistic.

The pathway provides:

  • a preparatory and community-building phase;
  • a framework for coordination between interested institutions;
  • a mechanism to progressively align the governance, institutional and strategic conditions required for future Full Membership and official National Node establishment.

The structure remains a preparatory coordination framework, intended to facilitate ecosystem-building and governance preparation activities.

Specifically, during the formation phase:

  • no National Node Agreement is signed;
  • no National Node Plan is formally submitted;
  • no official National Node governance recognition is established;
  • the structure does not participate in governance structures requiring Full Member representation;
  • the Associate Member institutions involved acquire no governance rights beyond those of their membership category.

The purpose of these limitations is to maintain a clear distinction between preparatory coordination activities and formally established governance structures, while still allowing progressive engagement and ecosystem development.

1. Coordinate the national preparation phase

One or several Associate Member institutions take the lead in coordinating national discussions and preparatory activities. This coordination may include:

  • identifying and engaging relevant national stakeholders;
  • facilitating discussions between institutions interested in EBRAINS participation;
  • promoting awareness of EBRAINS activities and opportunities at national level;
  • supporting the development of national collaborations;
  • exploring future governance structures for a potential National Node;
  • preparing the transition towards a Full Member-led node structure.

Depending on national context, the preparation phase may involve universities, research institutes, hospitals, ministries, infrastructures, scientific communities or national research initiatives.

2. Participate in operational coordination

Although not yet formally recognised, a Node in Formation may take part in selected operational coordination activities organised by EBRAINS:

  • National Node Operational Meetings;
  • community coordination discussions;
  • exchanges with existing National Nodes;
  • selected workshops, consultations and coordination activities;
  • interactions with EBRAINS operational and governance representatives where appropriate.

The aim is to support onboarding into the ecosystem, exchange best practice, give visibility on governance expectations, and help prepare future node establishment. Participation remains operational and preparatory — it does not imply formal governance status.

3. Work towards Full Membership

The long-term objective is to establish the conditions for an official node. That means progressively securing:

  • Full Membership within EBRAINS AISBL;
  • designation of an official National Node Leader;
  • signature of a National Node Agreement;
  • submission of a National Node Plan;
  • formal establishment of a Full Member National Node.

The transition pathway may include expanding the national consortium, identifying a suitable Full Member institution, engaging with ministries or national authorities, developing national coordination mechanisms, and consolidating the national EBRAINS ecosystem.

What the pathway is for

Taken together, the Node in Formation pathway acts as:

  • a flexible preparatory framework;
  • a governance maturation process;
  • a mechanism to progressively support the sustainable development of future National Nodes within the EBRAINS ecosystem.

Next step

Once a Full Member institution is in place, continue with Establish a National Node.

Getting help

For questions about the formation pathway, contact andriani.vodena@ebrains.eu or info@ebrains.eu.

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