Open Science in Horizon Europe: Transforming Research and Innovation

In the evolving landscape of research, development and innovation, the concept of Open Science has gained significant traction, particularly within the framework of Horizon Europe. As the European Union’s (EU) flagship research, development and innovation program, Horizon Europe is the world’s largest public funding program for research, with a budget of €95.5 billion for 2021-2027. Open Science is a central focus of this initiative, aimed at fostering transparency, accessibility, and collaboration across the research community.

Understanding Open Science

Open Science refers to a systemic shift in the way research is conducted, disseminated, and accessed. It encompasses various practices that make the processes and outcomes of research more transparent and accessible. These practices include open access to publications, open data, open peer review, and the involvement of a broader range of stakeholders in the research process, including the general public.

The core idea behind Open Science is to democratise access to scientific knowledge, enabling scientists, policymakers, educators, and citizens to benefit from and contribute to the research process. This approach is seen as a way to enhance the quality, efficiency, and impact of research, driving innovation and addressing societal challenges more effectively.

Open Science in Horizon Europe: Objectives and Principles

Horizon Europe emphasises Open Science as a means to improve the quality of research, increase trust in science, and enhance the societal impact of research outputs. The program envisions a research culture where transparency and collaboration are the norm rather than the exception. The integration of Open Science in Horizon Europe is guided by several key principles:

1. Open Access to Scientific Publications: Horizon Europe mandates that all scientific publications resulting from its funding be made openly accessible. This policy is built on the success of its predecessor, Horizon 2020, which saw significant strides in promoting open access. By ensuring that research findings are freely available to the public, the program aims to remove barriers to knowledge dissemination.
2. FAIR Data Principles: Horizon Europe advocates for data to be Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR). These principles are designed to maximise the utility of research data by making it easier to discover, access, and reuse. This approach is expected to enhance data-driven innovation and enable new research possibilities by facilitating the combination and comparison of data from different sources.
3. Open Research Data: Alongside publications, Horizon Europe promotes the sharing of research data. Researchers are encouraged to deposit their data in repositories where it can be accessed and reused by others. This practice supports reproducibility and validation of research results whilst also accelerating the generation of new knowledge by allowing other researchers to build upon existing data.
4. Open Peer Review: Open Science in Horizon Europe also extends to the peer review process. Open peer review, where both the content of reviews and the identity of reviewers are disclosed, is promoted as a way to increase transparency and accountability in the assessment of research. This approach is seen as a way to reduce bias and improve the quality of the review process.
5. Citizen Science and Public Engagement: Horizon Europe recognises the value of involving citizens in the research process. Citizen science initiatives, where non-professional scientists contribute to data collection, analysis, or even the design of research, are encouraged. This enriches research by incorporating diverse perspectives and strengthens the relationship between science and society.

Implementation of Open Science in Horizon Europe

The implementation of Open Science within Horizon Europe is supported by a range of policies, tools, and infrastructures. These measures are designed to facilitate the adoption of Open Science practices and to ensure that the benefits of Open Science are realized across the European research landscape.

Policy Framework

Horizon Europe has established a robust policy framework to support Open Science. This includes requirements for grant applicants to outline how they will implement Open Science practices in their projects, as well as provisions for monitoring and evaluating the uptake of Open Science across funded projects. The program also includes specific funding opportunities for projects that focus on the development of Open Science tools and infrastructures.

Tools and Infrastructures

To support the practical implementation of Open Science, Horizon Europe invests in the development of digital tools and infrastructures. The European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) is a key initiative in this regard. The EOSC is a virtual environment that provides researchers with access to a wide range of data, tools, and services for managing and sharing research outputs. It is designed to facilitate collaboration and data sharing across disciplines and borders, thus enabling more efficient and impactful research.

In addition to the EOSC, Horizon Europe also supports the development of open access repositories, data management platforms, and other digital infrastructures that are essential for the adoption of Open Science practices. These tools and infrastructures are intended to make it easier for researchers to comply with Open Science requirements and to benefit from the opportunities that Open Science offers.

Training and Capacity Building

Recognising that the transition to Open Science requires new skills and competencies, Horizon Europe includes provisions for training and capacity building. This includes funding for initiatives that provide researchers with the skills and knowledge they need to implement Open Science practices effectively. Training programs cover topics such as data management, open access publishing, and the use of digital tools for research.

Moreover, Horizon Europe promotes the integration of Open Science principles into higher education curricula. By equipping the next generation of researchers with the skills and mindset needed for Open Science, the program aims to ensure that Open Science becomes a standard practice in the research community.

Challenges and Opportunities

While the integration of Open Science in Horizon Europe presents numerous opportunities, it also poses several challenges. Addressing these challenges is crucial for the successful implementation of Open Science and for maximising its benefits.

Cultural and Institutional Barriers

One of the main challenges to the adoption of Open Science is the existing research culture. Many researchers are accustomed to traditional practices of knowledge dissemination, where access to research outputs is often restricted. Shifting this culture towards one that embraces openness requires changes at both the individual and institutional levels.

Institutions play a critical role in shaping research practices, and their policies and incentives can either support or hinder the adoption of Open Science. For example, promotion and tenure criteria that prioritise publications in high-impact journals over open access publications can discourage researchers from embracing Open Science. Therefore, there is a need for institutions to align their policies and incentives with the principles of Open Science.

Resource and Infrastructure Limitations

Implementing Open Science practices, particularly in terms of open data and data management, requires adequate resources and infrastructure. Not all researchers or institutions have access to the necessary tools and infrastructure, which can create disparities in the adoption of Open Science.

Horizon Europe addresses this challenge by investing in the development of shared infrastructures, such as the EOSC, and by providing funding for the development of open access platforms and repositories. However, ensuring equitable access to these resources remains a challenge, particularly for researchers in less well-resourced institutions or countries.

Balancing Openness with Privacy and Security

Another challenge in implementing Open Science is balancing the need for openness with concerns about privacy and security. This is particularly relevant in fields such as health research, where data often includes sensitive personal information. Ensuring that data is shared in a way that respects privacy and complies with legal and ethical standards is a complex task.

Horizon Europe addresses this issue by promoting the use of data anonymisation techniques and by supporting research into methods for securely sharing sensitive data. The program also includes provisions for ethical review and compliance with data protection regulations.

Opportunities for Innovation and Collaboration

Despite these challenges, the integration of Open Science in Horizon Europe presents significant opportunities for innovation and collaboration. By making research outputs more accessible and by promoting collaboration across disciplines and borders, Open Science can accelerate the pace of scientific discovery and enhance the societal impact of research.

Open Science also opens up new possibilities for interdisciplinary research. By making data and research outputs available to a wider range of researchers, Open Science facilitates the combination of knowledge and methods from different fields, leading to new insights and innovations.

Moreover, Open Science can strengthen the relationship between science and society by making research more transparent and by involving citizens in the research process. This can enhance public trust in science and increase the relevance and impact of research.

This article is written in a cooperation with our valued partner RedKnight Consultancy.