Europe stands at the forefront of a transformative movement in scholarly communication, championing principles of free and open science that promise to accelerate discovery and democratize access to knowledge. This push reflects a deliberate strategy by the European Union and its member states to foster transparency, collaboration, and innovation across the research landscape. At its core, the effort seeks to ensure that publicly funded research outputs—publications, data, and software—become immediately available without barriers, aligning with broader goals of the European Research Area.

Historical Foundations of Open Science in Europe

The roots of Europe's commitment to open science trace back to early 21st-century declarations and policies. Initiatives like the Berlin Declaration on Open Access in 2003 laid groundwork for broader reforms. By the mid-2010s, the European Commission had embedded open science principles into major funding frameworks. These developments responded to growing concerns over paywalls, reproducibility crises, and the need for faster knowledge dissemination amid global challenges such as pandemics and climate change.

European policymakers recognized that traditional publishing models often limited access, particularly for researchers in less-resourced institutions or countries. This realization spurred coordinated action at the EU level, emphasizing FAIR principles—findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable—for research data and outputs.

Plan S and the cOAlition S Initiative

A landmark development came with Plan S, launched in 2018 under the auspices of cOAlition S. This international consortium of research funders requires that publications resulting from their grants appear in compliant open access journals, platforms, or repositories without embargo. The initiative prioritizes immediate open access under open licenses, preferably Creative Commons Attribution.

cOAlition S has since expanded its strategy through 2030, focusing on sustainability and broader adoption. By 2026, the coalition continues to influence publishing practices, encouraging transformative agreements that shift subscription journals toward full open access models. This approach has prompted publishers to adapt, while supporting diamond open access options that eliminate author fees.

The European Open Science Cloud: Building a Federated Infrastructure

Central to Europe's vision is the European Open Science Cloud, or EOSC. This ambitious project aims to create a web of FAIR data and services for science. In 2026, the EOSC Federation advanced significantly with the addition of 14 new candidate nodes, bringing the total to 27. These nodes span national, thematic, and e-infrastructure communities, enhancing geographic and disciplinary coverage.

The federation's build-up phase, initiated in 2025, transitions EOSC toward production-grade operations by late 2026. Governance involves a tripartite structure including the EOSC Association, member states, and the European Commission. Funding draws from Horizon Europe and national contributions, ensuring alignment with the European Research Area.

Recent milestones include endorsements for nodes that support critical data sharing for AI and other emerging fields. EOSC positions Europe as a leader in secure, interoperable research environments, reducing fragmentation and fostering cross-border collaboration.

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Integration with Horizon Europe Funding

Horizon Europe, the EU's flagship research and innovation program with a budget exceeding €93 billion through 2027, mandates open science practices. Provisions require open access to publications and data, alongside skills development and infrastructure support. The program's strategic plan for 2025–2027 reinforces these commitments, linking open science to priorities in green, digital, and resilient futures.

Associations with non-EU countries, such as the recent agreement with Australia, extend these standards globally. Horizon Europe also funds projects that advance open science infrastructures, including training and mutual learning exercises across member states.

Open Research Europe: A Platform for Transparent Publishing

Complementing these efforts is Open Research Europe (ORE), the European Commission's open access publishing platform. Launched in 2021 for Horizon-funded research, ORE emphasizes rapid publication, open peer review, and data deposition. In March 2026, a new phase was announced, backed by nearly €17 million through 2031 and co-funded by the Commission.

From autumn 2026, CERN will operate the platform, expanding eligibility to researchers from a consortium of 11 countries including Austria, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. This shift aligns with diamond open access principles, offering fee-free publishing while maintaining rigorous standards. The platform's evolution supports equity in scholarly communication and serves as a model for community-led alternatives to commercial publishing.

Benefits for Researchers, Institutions, and Society

Adopting open science yields tangible advantages. Researchers gain greater visibility and citation impact, while institutions benefit from enhanced collaboration and reduced duplication of efforts. Broader society accesses knowledge that informs policy, education, and innovation.

Studies highlight economic gains from improved access and reuse of research results. Open practices also support reproducibility, addressing longstanding concerns in scientific integrity. For early-career academics and PhD candidates, these shifts create opportunities in data management, open publishing, and interdisciplinary work.

Challenges and Ongoing Debates

Despite progress, hurdles remain. Sustainable funding for infrastructures like EOSC requires clarity in the upcoming Framework Programme 10 (FP10). Concerns over governance, equity for smaller institutions, and the pace of cultural change persist. Some stakeholders note potential impacts on journals from less-resourced regions.

Discussions around research assessment reform emphasize moving beyond traditional metrics toward recognition of open practices. Balancing innovation with quality assurance demands continued dialogue among funders, publishers, and the research community.

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Perspectives from Key Stakeholders

European Commission officials emphasize open science as essential for competitiveness and societal benefit. Research organizations like Science Europe advocate for stable EOSC frameworks post-2027. National funders within cOAlition S highlight the need for inclusive policies that support diverse publishing models.

University leaders and researchers report increased adoption of open practices, though training gaps in data stewardship persist. International partners value Europe's leadership, which influences global standards.

Future Outlook and Actionable Steps

Looking ahead, Europe's open science agenda will intersect with FP10 negotiations, AI strategies, and data union initiatives. Sustained investment in EOSC nodes, ORE expansion, and skills programs will be critical. Researchers and institutions can engage by participating in EOSC nodes, adopting FAIR practices, and contributing to policy consultations.

These developments position Europe not only as a leader but as a collaborative hub for global open science. By prioritizing accessibility and transparency, the region fosters an ecosystem where knowledge serves the common good.