Policy on making available data and other results of scientific research (Política de Acesso Aberto a Dados de Investigação)

Abstract

The document "Política de Acesso Aberto a Dados de Investigação" by the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) outlines Portugal's Open Access Policy for Research Data, providing guidance and mandates for sharing, managing, and reusing research data.

The policy follows the principle of "as open as possible, as closed as necessary." The policy mandates that research data adhere to FAIR principles, making them machine-actionable and easy to find, access, and reuse. Data can remain closed in cases of confidentiality, privacy (e.g., personal or sensitive data), or security risks.

The policy clearly defines roles for key stakeholders, ensuring accountability in data sharing and reuse:

- Researchers: They are responsible for creating and implementing DMPs. They must ensure that research data adheres to FAIR principles and is deposited in repositories that meet these standards.

- Institutions: They support researchers in fulfilling their data management obligations. They provide infrastructure and training for data sharing and compliance with FAIR principles.

- FCT: It oversees the implementation of the policy and ensures compliance. It funds projects that adhere to the policy and supports the development of data-sharing infrastructure.

- Repositories: They ensure that data deposited is stored securely and made accessible in alignment with FAIR principles.

Overview

Country	Portugal
Start date	2014
Annual Budget	n/a
Responsible organisation(s)	Funding institution
Target group(s)	Established researchers|National government|Junior researchers|Public research institutes
Policy instrument type	Institutional Policy document

Background

Political commitment for Open Science dates back to the Council of Ministers Resolution no. 21/2016, of March 24th, which defined the guiding principles for the implementation of a National Open Science Policy, and the Decree Law no. 63/2019, of May 16th, which determines that R&D institutions should contribute to an Open Science, ensuring free and open access to scientific knowledge and promoting engagement and interaction with society. The 21/2016 resolution mandated the creation of an Interministerial Working Group tasked with developing a strategic plan for a National Open Science Policy. The WG was formed but the government has not adopted the WG's recommendations. In 2019, MCTES assigned the Open Science agenda to the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT), which has since been working on developing a national research data roadmap. Despite the absence of a formally adopted National Open Science Policy, FCT continues to support Open Science initiatives, including the RCAAP (Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal) project, which has been operational since 2008.

The FCT has also adopted "The Open Access Policy for Scientific Publications" as a formal policy that specifies requirements for open access publication and repository deposition for project results funded by the FCT.

Objective(s)

To ensure that research data generated through publicly funded projects is managed responsibly and made accessible for reuse, in compliance with the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable).

To enhance transparency, reproducibility, and innovation by fostering an open science environment in Portugal.

Public access URL

https://www.fct.pt/en/sobre/politicas-e-estrategias/politicas-de-ciencia-aberta/

https://www.fct.pt/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/PoliticaAcessoAberto_Dados.pdf

All tags

• Data governance for trust
• Portugal
• 2014
• Funding institution
• Established researchers
• National government
• Junior researchers
• Public research institutes
• Strategies, agendas and plans
• Roles and responsibilities of researchers

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