European Conference of Transport Research Institutes

Their core work

ECTRI is the umbrella association representing major transport research institutes across Europe. Their core function is to coordinate the European transport research community — organizing the flagship Transport Research Arena (TRA) conferences, fostering skills development for transport professionals, and promoting open science practices in the sector. Rather than conducting primary research, they serve as the connective tissue between national transport research organizations, shaping research agendas and policy dialogue at the EU level.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In their early H2020 period (2015-2018), ECTRI focused on strengthening transport research strategies (SETRIS) and workforce development (SKILLFUL) — foundational, structural work. From 2019 onward, their focus shifted toward open science, public outreach, and reimagining mobility on a global scale (BE OPEN, MOVING TOGETHER). The TRA conference thread runs throughout but gained increasing emphasis on education and public engagement in later projects.

ECTRI is moving from inward-facing research coordination toward outward-facing public engagement and global mobility dialogue, making them increasingly relevant for projects needing dissemination and community-building capacity.

How they like to work

ECTRI always participates as a partner, never as coordinator — consistent with their role as an association that supports rather than leads individual research efforts. With 70 unique partners across 21 countries in just 7 projects, they function as a network hub with exceptionally broad reach. Working with ECTRI means gaining access to their member institutes and the wider European transport research community.

Remarkably broad network for a small project portfolio: 70 unique partners across 21 countries, averaging 10 consortium partners per project. Their Brussels base and association status give them pan-European institutional connections across the transport research landscape.

What sets them apart

ECTRI's value lies not in what they research, but in who they connect. As the representative body for Europe's transport research institutes, they offer unmatched convening power — access to the TRA conference network, member institutes across the continent, and transport policy circles in Brussels. For any consortium needing community engagement, dissemination reach, or institutional credibility in transport, ECTRI is a natural partner.

Highlights from their portfolio

• SETRIS
  Largest single grant (EUR 331,875) focused on shaping European transport research and innovation strategies — closest to ECTRI's core institutional mission.
• BE OPEN
  EUR 200,000 to build a European observatory for open science in transport — signals ECTRI's expansion beyond conference logistics into science policy.
• MOVING TOGETHER
  Longest-running project (2019-2023) with a global scope ('reimagining mobility worldwide'), marking a shift from EU-centric coordination to international dialogue.