European Partnership on Metrology

The science of measurement – metrology – is vital for scientific research, trade and industry, and our daily lives. Modern society could not function without it.
Metrology plays an important role in an industrialised and increasingly globalised and digital society. New societal challenges and emerging technologies increase the need for accurate, precise, and reliable measurements and thus novel measurement capabilities. The EU recognised this need by launching the first European research programme on metrology the European Metrology Research Programme (EMRP) in 2009, followed by the European Metrology Programme for Innovation and Research (EMPIR) (under Horizon 2020) in 2014.

The European Partnership on Metrology is one of the European Partnerships included in the Horizon Europe programme running from 2021 to 2027 and builds on the progress achieved during the previous metrology research programmes. It brings together the science community and stakeholders in the field of measurement and through research cooperation aims to support the transition towards a green, climate-neutral and digital Europe and to strengthen the resilience, competitiveness, and economic growth of the European industry.

The European Partnership on Metrology is co-financed from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme and by the Participating States. The expected budget of this Partnership is around 690 million euro, and the expected impact will support a wide range of policies, trade and advancement of key European challenges. In addition, it will develop self-sustaining, coordinated metrological infrastructures, able to continue joint research and innovation after 2030, when the program ends. The created system for European metrology will ensure that Europe has a world-class metrology system that:  − Provides metrology solutions, fundamental metrological reference data and methods, offering fit-for-purpose solutions supporting and stimulating European innovation and responding to societal challenges.
  − Supports and enables effective design and implementation of regulation and standards that underpin public policies that address societal challenges.


VTT MIKES coordinates Finland’s participation in the European Partnership on Metrology programme.