Background

The research and innovation (R&I) system is undergoing a paradigm shift to Open Science to make scientific knowledge accessible for all by promoting unhindered dissemination of research outputs. Ensuring the interoperability and sustainability of research data – that is, their long-term preservation and accessibility – is an indispensable element to make Open Science the ‘new normal’.

Research Funding Organisations (RFOs), Research Performing Organisations (RPOs), and Research Data Infrastructures (RDIs) play an important role in the advancement of good data sharing practices. They need comprehensive strategies (an organisational ‘agenda for research data’) that include a clear commitment to long-term data sharing and interoperability. Collaboration within the R&I system and aligned agendas for research data can contribute to fulfilling this aim. Achieving sustainable research data can be compared to a journey that must be jointly undertaken, while allowing each organisation to travel at its own pace and choose its destination according to its strategic priorities and needs.

Science Europe’s new Practical Guide to Sustainable Research Data aims to provide guidance to its Member Organisations and the broader research community on the necessary steps to provide researchers with the best conditions for their work.

Experts from the Science Europe Member Organisations, supported by some external expertise, have developed a set of complementary maturity matrices for three main stakeholder types that aim to support organisations develop their agenda for research data and align their efforts with other organisations.