Sharing and re-using data to reproduce research and build upon it, are a cornerstone of Open Science.
The sustainability of research data refers to their long-term preservation, accessibility, and interoperability. It is something that needs to be addressed by everyone involved.
Aligned policies and requirements can limit the collective effort needed and increase the usefulness of research data management.
Preserving, sharing, and re-using research data are linked with challenges and costs that require resources and skills at both individual and organisational level.
Research funders, performers, and infrastructures need to be committed to sustainable data preservation and interoperability. They need to have the right policies in place and collaboratively take action to ensure technical preparedness, capacity building, and (financial) support.
Science Europe’s Practical Guide to Sustainable Research Data offers complementary maturity matrices for funders, performers, and data infrastructures to create a common understanding of the approaches needed by the different stakeholders involved. It will support the alignment of policies and requirements for sustainable research data.
The matrices will allow organisations to evaluate their current status and optimise their progress towards sustainable data sharing, according to their strategic priorities. It will also provide indications on the necessary next steps for interested organisations and foster dialogue with partner organisations.
Below is an interactive version of the matrices: click on any of the bubbles to see the relevant steps for that particular item.
Organisations can use the following templates (in .docx and .odt formats) for the maturity matrices to mark their progress and potential next steps:
This Practical Guide provides guidance to ensure the long-term preservation and accessibility of research data. Three complementary maturity matrices provide funders, performers, and data infrastructures with a way to create a common understanding of the approaches needed.
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The interoperability and sustainability of research data are an indispensable element of the shift towards an Open Science system. At this event, Science Europe presented strategic guidance for research performers, funders, and data infrastructures to help ensure long-term preservation and accessibility of research data.
