Advancing Open Science Across Europe

The Open Research Europe platform has issued a call for nominations to form its new Scientific Advisory Board, marking an important development for researchers and institutions committed to transparent, fee-free scholarly publishing. This initiative comes as the platform prepares for a significant transition in autumn 2026, shifting to collective support from European funding bodies while remaining accessible to researchers funded by major EU programmes.

Understanding Open Research Europe

Open Research Europe, often referred to as ORE, serves as a dedicated open access publishing venue established by the European Commission. It provides a no-cost option for beneficiaries of Horizon 2020, Horizon Europe, and related programmes to share their findings rapidly. The platform emphasises open peer review, where expert feedback is published alongside articles, and supports the deposition of underlying data to enhance reproducibility and trust in research outputs. All disciplines are covered, spanning natural sciences, engineering, medical and health sciences, agricultural sciences, social sciences, humanities, and the arts.

Since its launch in 2021, ORE has positioned itself as a community-oriented alternative to traditional subscription-based or article processing charge models. Articles undergo initial checks before rapid publication, followed by transparent post-publication peer review. Successful articles are indexed in major databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, ensuring visibility for authors and their institutions.

The Transition to a New Phase

ORE is entering a transformative period. A funding consortium involving national agencies and research organisations across Europe will support operations alongside European Commission co-funding of up to €10 million within an overall budget approaching €17 million for 2026-2031. CERN has been selected to operate the platform during this phase. This evolution aligns with broader European efforts to promote diamond open access, where neither authors nor readers pay fees, fostering greater equity in scholarly communication.

Eligibility is set to expand beyond strictly EU-funded researchers to include those affiliated with institutions in participating consortium countries. This broadening aims to strengthen the platform's role in the European Research Area by maximising the circulation of publicly funded knowledge.

The Call for Scientific Advisory Board Nominations

To guide this next phase, ORE has launched an open call seeking nominations for its Scientific Advisory Board. The board will provide strategic input on platform development, ensuring it meets the evolving needs of the research community. Nominations were accepted from mid-June 2026, with a deadline of 10 July 2026. Candidates are invited to submit a curriculum vitae and a motivation letter outlining their vision for the platform.

The European Commission and partners emphasise the importance of this board in shaping policies around open science practices, editorial standards, and user experience. Questions regarding the process can be directed to ore-contact@cern.ch, and full details appear on the official platform site.

Who Should Apply and Eligibility Criteria

The call targets internationally recognised researchers who possess editorial experience and demonstrate a strong commitment to open science principles. Ideal candidates will have no conflicts of interest that could compromise their advisory role. This focus ensures the board comprises individuals with practical insight into the challenges and opportunities of modern scholarly publishing.

University administrators and faculty leaders across Europe are particularly encouraged to consider or nominate colleagues who can represent diverse disciplinary perspectives and institutional contexts. The board's composition will influence decisions affecting thousands of researchers affiliated with European higher education institutions.

Photo by Fer Troulik on Unsplash

Implications for European Higher Education

For academics, PhD candidates, and postdoctoral researchers in Europe, the Scientific Advisory Board represents an opportunity to influence a key infrastructure supporting open access mandates. Many universities and research organisations now require or strongly encourage open access dissemination of outputs from publicly funded projects. ORE provides a compliant, cost-free route that aligns with these policies while promoting transparency through open peer review.

University administrators overseeing research support services may view the platform's evolution as a model for sustainable publishing. The shift to collective funding reduces reliance on individual author payments and supports broader participation, potentially easing pressures on library budgets and research grants traditionally allocated to article processing charges.

Stakeholder Perspectives and Broader Context

European Commission officials have highlighted ORE's role in strengthening the free circulation of knowledge within the European Research Area. Research organisations participating in the funding consortium see the platform as a strategic investment in diamond open access infrastructure. CERN's involvement brings operational expertise from its own open science initiatives, ensuring robust technical foundations.

Researchers who have published on ORE appreciate the speed of dissemination and the visibility gained through indexing. The open review model also allows early career scholars to observe and participate in constructive feedback processes, contributing to professional development.

Challenges in Scholarly Publishing Addressed by ORE

Traditional publishing models often create barriers through high costs and restricted access. ORE counters these issues by eliminating author fees and embracing post-publication review that remains public. This approach can accelerate the sharing of findings, particularly valuable in fast-moving fields or during public health or environmental crises.

The platform also encourages data sharing and the publication of null or negative results, addressing publication bias that has long concerned the academic community. As European universities navigate increasing demands for research impact and accountability, tools like ORE support compliance while maintaining high standards of integrity.

Future Outlook for Open Research Europe

With operations transitioning in autumn 2026, ORE is positioned to grow its user base and influence. The Scientific Advisory Board will play a central role in setting priorities for platform enhancements, community engagement, and alignment with emerging open science policies. Expansion of eligibility promises greater inclusivity across European research ecosystems.

Longer term, the model could inspire similar initiatives elsewhere, contributing to a more sustainable and equitable global scholarly communication landscape. European higher education institutions stand to benefit through enhanced visibility of their research and reduced financial barriers for their scholars.

Actionable Steps for Academics and Institutions

Researchers interested in contributing to ORE's development should monitor updates on the official platform. Even if the initial nomination deadline has passed, opportunities for engagement through the board or other advisory mechanisms may arise. University research offices can promote the platform to eligible staff and integrate it into open access guidance materials.

PhD supervisors and early career mentors might encourage students to consider ORE for suitable outputs, gaining experience with open peer review. Institutions can explore consortium participation to extend benefits to their broader academic communities.

Photo by KOBU Agency on Unsplash

Supporting Europe's Research Community

The nomination process for the Scientific Advisory Board underscores a collaborative approach to building research infrastructure. By involving experienced scholars, ORE ensures its evolution reflects real-world needs of European academia. This initiative reinforces commitments to open science as a foundation for innovation, public trust, and knowledge advancement across the continent.

As the platform moves forward under CERN's stewardship and collective funding, its success will depend on continued input from the research community it serves. Academics, administrators, and aspiring researchers alike have a stake in shaping this important resource for years to come.