The main objective of the roadmap is to assist universities in the transition to Open Access (OA). More broadly, it is the first step in a series of EUA initiatives aimed at addressing the implications of Open Science.
The EUA Roadmap on Open Access to Research Publications focuses primarily on fostering structured dialogue among stakeholders; promoting and supporting the adoption of OA policies, infrastructures and initiatives by European universities; encouraging the development and establishment of advanced scientific recognition and research assessment systems; addressing intellectual property rights and copyright policies for various outputs; considering alternative and sustainable OA business models; promoting access, use and sharing of research publications and data, including text and data mining (TDM); and encouraging, supporting and eventually monitoring the establishment of comprehensive standards for institutional OA policies concerning research publications and teaching materials.
The roadmap is the fruit of a close collaboration with the EUA Expert Group on Science 2.0/Open Science and is a key element of EUA’s long-term vision, which was also endorsed by the Council, to support its members in the transition towards Open Science.
“EUA has come up with a set of well-defined objectives and priority actions for the university sector that will be taken forward in the coming months,” explained Professor Jean-Pierre Finance, Council member and Chair of the Expert Group. “By acting together, European universities will undoubtedly set the pace for progress towards a more open system for the generation of new knowledge through research.”
In a related step in support of its upcoming activities on research assessment and research publications, the EUA Council also endorsed a Statement in support of the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA).
These EUA initiatives come at an important moment as there is currently a strong political push towards OA at both the national and EU level. Just last week EU ministers responsible for research assembled in an informal meeting in Amsterdam with European Commissioner Carlos Moedas to discuss research issues, including OA. This topic will continue to be high on the European political agenda as the EU Dutch Presidency has identified OA as one of its priority areas.
The EUA Roadmap builds on the outcomes of previous EUA activities in particular EUA’s Open Access Checklist for universities (2015); its briefing paper on Open Access to Research Publications (2014); and its Recommendations on Open Access (2008).
To view the EUA Roadmap on Open Access to Research Publications, click here.
For more information on EUA’s work on Science 2.0/Open Science, click here.
Receive the Funding Newswire each Tuesday, our Policy Bulletin each Thursday, and news about bridging Europe’s east-west innovation gap twice a month in The Widening. 
A unique international forum for public research organisations and companies to connect their external engagement with strategic interests around their R&D system.
