BBMRI (Biobanking and Biomolecular Resources Research Infrastructure) was one of the first projects entering the European Research Infrastructure preparatory phase of the ESFRI roadmap funded by the European Commission (EC). The preparatory phase of BBMRI came to its end in January 2011. Over the past 3 years BBMRI has grown into a 54-member consortium with more than 225 associated organisations (largely biobanks) from over 30 countries, making it one of the largest research infrastructure projects in Europe.

When the preparatory phase of BBMRI came to its end on January 31, 2011, also the Governance and Management Structures which were based on the Grant Agreement came to end. In its final teleconference on Jan 25, 2011, the BBMRI Steering Committee agreed that the Coordinator, the Executive Manager as well as the Steering Committee of the preparatory phase continued to function as interim bodies of BBMRI until the preparatory (governance) body (as described in the MoU) was established.

On 22 November 2013, BBMRI was officially awarded the Community legal framework for a European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC).  This specific legal form is designed to facilitate the joint establishment and operation of research infrastructures of European interest.

The ERIC status allows pulling together biobanks and biomolecular resources into a pan-European facility. BBMRI-ERIC will provide access to the collections of partner biobanks and biomolecular resources, their expertise and services on a non-economic basis. Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Finland, Greece, Italy, Malta, Netherlands and Sweden are members of BBMRI-ERIC that will be based in Graz, Austria.