The Research Council of Norway’s Policy for Open Access to Research Data

Abstract

The Research Council of Norway’s (RCN) Policy for Open Access to Research Data outlines principles to ensure that research data are accessible to relevant users on equal terms and at the lowest possible cost. This policy emphasizes adherence to the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) principles and requires funded projects to develop data management plans. RCN has formulated a set of guidelines for the storage, dissemination and sharing of

research data.

The RCN policy operates with clear exceptions for datasets that cannot simply be made openly available. Data sets shall not be made openly available if doing so may threaten individual or national security, conflict with applicable data protection regulations or other legal provisions. As the main principle it is up to the R&D performing enterprise to decide which archiving solution to use. However, where appropriate, the Research Council of Norway may order the storage of data and/or metadata in specific national or international archives.

All projects that have received RCN funding after 01.01.2018 and that manage data in their project are required to submit a data management plan. The RCN does not assess the content of submitted plans. It is the responsibility of the Project Owner to approve that the plan is in line with the institution's requirements and guidelines before it is submitted.

Overview

Country	Norway
Start date	2017
Annual Budget	n/a
Responsible organisation(s)	Funding institution
Target group(s)	Researchers and Research Institutions, Research Funders, Data and Infrastructure Providers, Policy Makers and Government Bodies, The Public and Societ.
Policy instrument type	Policy document

Background

The RCN policy aligns with Norway's national goals and guidelines for open access to research articles, aiming to make all publicly funded Norwegian research articles openly available by 2024. (https://www.regjeringen.no/en/dokumenter/national-goals-and-guidelines-for-open-access-to-research-articles/id2567591/)

RCN has also established guidelines mandating Open Access to Publications: all scientific publications from funded projects be made immediately accessible upon publication, without embargo, and under open licenses permitting reuse. This aligns with the principles of Plan S, to which RCN is a signatory. The requirements apply to projects with RCN funding from calls for proposals in 2021 and onwards.  (https://www.forskningsradet.no/en/research-policy-strategy/open-science/publications/#guidelines)

Objective(s)

It aims to ensure that publicly funded research data are accessible, implementing FAIR Principles and encouraging Open Research Processes by fostering transparency and collaboration throughout the research lifecycle.

Public access URL

https://www.forskningsradet.no/contentassets/e4cd6d2c23cf49d4989bb10c5eea087a/the-research-council-of-norways-policy-for-open-access-to-research-data.pdf

https://www.forskningsradet.no/en/research-policy-strategy/open-science/research-data/

All tags

• Data governance for trust
• Norway
• 2017
• Funding institution
• Civil society
• Established researchers
• Firms
• Higher education institutes
• International entity
• National government
• Private R&D
• Public research institutes
• Subnational government
• Strategies, agendas and plans
• Foster limited forms of access where necessary

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