The NSF Mid-Scale is about the design of an instrument to support research. We propose to build an instrument to access and connect researchers and their research instruments, data sources, and associated computational capabilities through federation, a software and hardware defined “federated collaboratory,” designed to simplify multi-campus collaborations and partnerships that advance the frontiers of research and innovation. The sessions during this virtual ERN All Hands Meeting are the next step in the process of helping the ERN achieve this vision.