Sustainable food security and increased plant biomass availability pose a critical challenge in the coming decades. However, the analysis of crop performance, known as ‘phenotyping’, remains the primary bottleneck hindering the exploitation of crop genetic diversity and advancements in plant breeding. To address this issue, the European Strategic Forum for Research Infrastructure (ESFRI) has identified plant phenotyping as a top priority. In this context, the EU-funded EMPHASIS-PREP, an infrastructure project listed on the ESFRI ROADMAP, aims to establish a sustainable and innovative pan-European plant phenotyping infrastructure. By fostering collaboration with the European plant phenotyping community and stakeholders, EMPHASIS-PREP will map existing infrastructure, identify gaps, develop strategies, and create a comprehensive business plan.