The European Centre for Infrastructure Studies (ECIS) was a research bureau (think-tank) and centre for dialogue on European infrastructure matters created by the European Round Table of Industrialists (ERT) to ensure the implementation of the infrastructure policies that it had successfully put on the European political agenda. The idea of setting up this new institution, which would speed up the construction of TENs, was launched at a conference in Lisbon in June 1992. According to Umberto Agnelli of FIAT, "there was an immediate surge of support from the international audience of decision makers, which included representatives from all twelve EC governments, European transport and research associations, industry and – not least – from several members of the European Commission." Encouraged by this positive response, Agnelli started selecting the members of this new body in the autumn of 1993. ECIS was founded in Rotterdam on 1 March 1994. ECIS membership included regional and national governments, municipalities, EU institutions, research institutes, banks and corporations, as well as infrastructure users and providers from business, industry and finance. Depending on their type of membership, ECIS provided its members with a range of information services designed to help in strategic decision-making and in the day-to-day management of their infrastructure-related resources.
Its membership was broadly divided into one third government, one third business and one third finance, research and other associations.
Prominent European personalities were members of the board, or otherwise involved in ECIS activities: François-Xavier Ortoli, former President of the European Commission (ECIS President), Pasqual Maragall, Mayor of Barcelona and President of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions, Frank E. Matrhijsen Gerst, President of TNO Delft, Sir Alastair Morton, President of Eurotunnell, Antonio Lorenzo Necci, President of the Italian Railways and of the Union Internationale des Chemins de Fer, Emilio Rui8 Vilar, Chairman of the Caixa Geral de DepósitosS.A. and President of the Crédit Local d'Éurope (Members).
The European Commission and ECIS worked in tandem to reach their common goal: large-scale construction of trans-European motorways, high-speed trains and other transport infrastructure.
Since its creation, ECIS prepared studies on behalf of the Commission, and organized conferences "to educate Commission officials" and others.
ECIS represented the interests of European transnational corporations by lobbying for the expansion of all kinds of transport infrastructure.

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