EC Documents

Turning FAIR data into reality: interim report

Interim report of the European Commission Expert Group on Turning FAIR Data into reality. The Group has a remit to provide recommendations, indicators and input on the financing of activities required to turn FAIR data into reality at an EU, Member State and international level. A FAIR Data Action Plan has also been proposed. See https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1285290

Prompting an EOSC in practice: draft interim report of the EOSC high level expert group

Interim report and recommendations of the Commission 2nd High Level Expert Group [2017-2018] on the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC).

European Commission Staff Working Document, 14/03/2018 - Implementation Roadmap for the European Open Science Cloud

This Staff Working Document (SWD) presents the outcome of the exploration of appropriate governance and financing mechanisms for the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) in the form of a possible implementation Roadmap, as foreseen by the Communication on the 'European Cloud Initiative'. The document also describes the measures taken under Horizon 2020 Work Programmes to start implementing the EOSC.

Updated recommendation from the European Commission, 25/04/2018 Access to and preservation to scientific information

Updated recommendation from the European Commission, 25/04/2018.

EOSC declaration, 26/10/2017

The EOSC Declaration and its principles, guiding the implementation of the EOSC, are the tangible result of the EOSC Summit of 12 June 2017. They have been endorsed by the undersigning stakeholders, found in the List of  Signatories, who also committed to specific actions to implement it (Action  List). As such, the Declaration does not commit the European Commission and Union institutions.

Communication from the European Commission, 10/05/2017: Mid-Term Review on the implementation of the Digital Single Market Strategy - A Connected Digital Single Market for All

This mid-term review assesses progress towards the implementation of the Digital Single Market, identifying where more efforts are needed and where the changing digital landscape calls for new action at the EU level. It is accompanied by the 2017 European Digital Progress Reports outlining the progress made at both EU and Member State level and a staff working document setting out the evidence that has informed this review.

Realising the European Open Science Cloud: First report from the EOSC High Level Expert Group

On 11 October 2016 the Commission has published the first report of the High Level Expert Group on the European Open Science Cloud (HLEG EOSC).

The Report recommends to close discussions about the ‘perceived need’ of a science cloud and to take immediate action on the EOSC in close concert with Member States, building on existing capacity and expertise. They also recommend writing clear Rules of Engagement for access to the EOSC and for the provision of services based on research data (e.g. TDM, data analytics, etc.). But the implications of the report reach further in several aspects of Open Science policy more broadly. They recommend framing the EOSC as the EU contribution to a future, global Internet of FAIR Data and Services underpinned by open protocols. They recommend to set-up and fund a concerted effort to develop core data expertise in Europe. They estimate that half a million 'core data scientists' are needed to make the most of open research data in Europe. Finally, they recommend changing radically the funding model for research data, from traditional and rigid funding schemes of the past - e.g. small and unaccounted part of a time-limited and space-bound grants to an overall co-funded national / EC funding scheme. They estimate that on average about 5% of total research expenditure should be spent on properly managing and 'stewarding' data in an integrated fashion.

The Recommendations of the HLEG EOSC provide a solid starting point for further reflection and engagement of scientific user communities, research funders and Member States in the making of the initiative.

Communication from the European Commission, 06/05/2015: A Digital Single Market Strategy for Europe

The global economy is rapidly becoming digital. Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is no longer a specific sector but the foundation of all modern innovative economic systems. The Internet and digital technologies are transforming the lives we lead, the way we work – as individuals, in business, and in our communities as they become more integrated across all sectors of our economy and society.

These changes are happening at a scale and speed that bring immense opportunities for innovation, growth and jobs. They also raise challenging policy issues for public authorities which require coordinated EU action. All Member States are wrestling with similar problems but on a national basis which is too limited to allow them to seize all the opportunities and deal with all the challenges of this transformational change. For many issues the European level offers the right framework. That is why the European Commission has set the creation of a Digital Single Market as one of its key priorities.

Communication from the European Commission, 19/04/2016: European Cloud Initiative – Building a competitive data and knowledge economy in Europe

The European Cloud Initiative builds on the Digital Single Market (DSM) Strategy, which aims, inter alia, to maximise the growth potential of the European digital economy. It aims to develop a trusted, open environment for the scientific community for storing, sharing and re-using  scientific data and results, the European Open Science Cloud. It  aims to deploy the underpinning super-computing capacity, the fast connectivity and the high-capacity cloud solutions they need via a European Data Infrastructure.

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