Who are we?

The FOREST project is the culmination of a long journey over the past fifteen years, initially undertaken by NMis (National Metrology Institutes), NRENs (National Research and Education Networks) and a few academic labs involved in high precision experiments.  The development of time-frequency signal dissemination via optical fibre and frequency comparisons of European optical clocks, benefited from several European projects: EMRP  NEAT-FT (2012-2015), EMPIR ITOC (2013-2016), EMPIR OFTEN (2016-2019), EMPIR TIFOON (2019-2022). The perspective of creating a European research infrastructure was initiated by a H2020 Infrainnov project CLOck NETwork Services (CLONETS) was led by Paris Observatory, started in 2016 followed by a H2020 Design study project (CLONETS-DS) led by GÉANT.

Although the first intent of these initiatives was to build a European research infrastructure dedicated to the time and frequency distribution and comparison at the European scale, the rapid rise of fields such as quantum communications and fiber sensing, which require high-precision timing, has made it clear the interest of broadening the scientific scope. This will represent a fantastic mutualization of means and competences at service of a very large scientific and technological community.

The FOREST project gathers today 60 stakeholders from 17 European countries. CERN is intended to join the consortium if FOREST is selected by ESFRI. It received the political supports of 13 ministries from 10 European Governments, 3 of these providing in addition a financial support. We obtained 105 letters of support including more than 20 from private companies. Discussions are still ongoing in several countries involved in FOREST with their respective ministries in order to broaden the FOREST consortium. The core of the consortium is formed by 3 groups.

• 13 NMis (or equivalent) which elaborate the legal time and frequency references in their countries
• 13 NRENs (National Research and Education Networks) plus GEANT the European consortium in charge of the interconnection of the different NRENs. They provide the backbones for the distribution of the time and frequency signals, GEANT having in charge the interconnection of these networks
• 34 Public institutions (universities, research organisms, …) with expertise in the 3 domains of services that FOREST aims to deliver: 1°/ high precision experiments (fundamental physics, astrophysics, geodesy, high energy physics, …) 2°/ quantum communication 3°/ fiber sensing (seismology, ocean monitoring, …)

Among the institutions supporting the initiative, are the following European Research infrastructures: EPOS, JIVE, LOFAR, ESRF. Let us also mention the BIPM, while EURAMET, European consortium of the NMIs, and the Joint Research Center (JRC) from the European Commission are ready to play a key role in the International Advisory Board of FOREST.