The European Commission’s 2018 revision of the Recommendation on access to and preservation of scientific information emphasizes the need for systemic changes to recognize and reward open science practices, particularly the sharing of research data. It urges EU Member States to reform research assessment frameworks to acknowledge a wider range of research outputs—beyond traditional publications—including datasets and other openly shared results. To this end, Member States are advised to develop national policies and incentive structures that support early and open dissemination of research, and to embed open science principles into academic career evaluations. The Recommendation also highlights the importance of building capacity by enhancing skills and competencies in data management and sharing. It calls on Member States to integrate open science training into higher education and professional development programs, ensuring researchers, engineers, and data professionals are equipped with the knowledge needed to manage and share FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) data. Moreover, it encourages alignment with broader European initiatives such as the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC), to foster a cohesive, interoperable, and sustainable open science ecosystem across Europe.
Commission Recommendation (EU) 2018/790 of 25 April 2018 on access to and preservation of scientific information
Abstract
Country | European Union |
Start date | 2018 |
Annual Budget | n/a |
Responsible organisation(s) | European Commission |
Target group(s) | Researchers, academic institutions, policymakers, and the general public |
Policy instrument type | EC Recommendation to EU member states (non-binding act) |
This recommendation builds on the European Commission’s previous efforts to improve access to scientific information, aligning with the Digital Single Market strategy and the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) initiative
To promote open access to scientific information, enhance the quality and impact of research, and foster innovation and economic growth by making research data more accessible and reusable.
Regarding this Incentives and rewards the Recommendation aims to motivate member states to set and implement clear policies (as detailed in national action plans) for adjusting, with regards to scientific information, the recruitment and career evaluation system for researchers, the evaluation system for awarding research grants to researchers, and the evaluation systems for research performing institutions. To motivate member states to develop and implement national training strategies to empower researchers and institutions with the skills necessary for effective data stewardship, thereby enhancing the quality and impact of research across the EU
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