The planned eLTER Research Infrastructure (RI) consists of national research infrastructures, the eLTER Head Office and central services that, among other things, regulate access to the research sites, take care of the standardization / harmonization of data and products, organize training courses, etc. The research infrastructures of the partner countries form the national building blocks of eLTER RI: these are eLTER sites for the long-term monitoring and research of ecosystems and the critical zone, and eLTSER platforms for socio-ecological research (see map). The equipment of these sites and platforms and the data collection on site are coordinated with each other. In addition, eLTER sites and eLTSER platforms will be accessible for research and educational activities.

Since 2018, eLTER has been on the roadmap of the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI), which reflects the strategic priorities of the European Commission. ESFRI forms the political framework for the formalization of European research infrastructures. By 2022, approximately 165 institutions from 28 countries have signed the eLTER Memorandum of Understanding, signaling strong support for the scientific goals of eLTER RI. In addition, the ministries of currently 21 countries politically support eLTER RI (see map).