The NPOS2030 initiative outlines the Netherlands’ vision for Open Science by 2030, setting strategic goals and implementation requirements that build upon previous national and European frameworks such as the Open Science Policy Framework 2020, the Open Access Policy Framework 2021, and the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC). Central to NPOS2030 is the transformation of research culture through a new system of recognition and rewards that values open science practices alongside traditional academic outputs. Researchers are incentivized not only for publications, but also for making their data, software, and research processes openly accessible and reusable. Open science contributions are integrated into career evaluations, promotions, and funding decisions, with new metrics that go beyond impact factors—such as data sharing and reuse, open-access publishing, public engagement, and societal impact. The initiative also includes a Rolling Agenda promoting both green and golden open access models with emphasis on immediate access to publications and open research data. NPOS2030 addresses challenges in data management and aims to ensure that open science policies evolve in line with technological and research developments through detailed action plans and clear target outcomes for 2030.
National Programme Open Science 2030 (NPOS2030) ‑ Ambition Document and Rolling Agenda
Abstract
Country | Netherlands |
Start date | 2022 |
Annual Budget | €20 M |
Responsible organisation(s) | Ministry |
Target group(s) | researchers, academic institutions, funders, data professionals, policy makers, citizen scientists, and international partners |
Policy instrument type | Open Science Policy Document |
The initial National Programme Open Science (NPOS), launched in 2017, outlined the country’s first coordinated effort to promote Open Access (OA) and Open Research Data (ORD). The NPOS2030 was developed collaboratively by a wide range of stakeholders, including universities, research institutions, funding organizations, libraries, and policymakers. The process emphasized co-creation, with input gathered through consultations, surveys, and workshops involving researchers, data stewards, and the public. Lessons from the 2017 NPOS were assessed, highlighting achievements in Open Access for publications and identifying gaps in areas like Open Research Data and public engagement in science. Dedicated task forces and working groups were established to address key challenges, such as developing FAIR data infrastructure, aligning incentives and rewards for Open Science practices, strengthening skills and training for researchers, and supporting citizen science and public engagement.
Together, this revised NPOS Ambition Document, the NPOS Rolling Agenda, and a description of the NPOS governance, will form the NPOS2030 Multi Annual Plan. Moreover, Dutch universities and research institutions are actively reforming their reward and recognition systems to align with NPOS2030 goals.
NPOS2030 aligns with the EU Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment (ARRA) and other European frameworks that encourage rewarding openness and collaboration.
To create a fully open and transparent research system by making all scholarly publications, research data, and other research outputs openly accessible and reusable, adhering to the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable).
To embed Open Science practices as the default in the Dutch academic and research culture, ensuring that knowledge-sharing benefits science, innovation, and society as a whole. To foster a research culture where open science practices are valued, incentivized, and rewarded as integral to academic excellence and societal impact.
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