Putting Open Science into action

The challenge is to operationalise an Open Science rationale for one or more of the societal challenges defined under Horizon 2020. This should be done by a knowledge coalition based on a quadruple helix model of innovation in which civil society organisations, industry, government and academia are committed to work together and share knowledge and data among each other and interested third parties, thus putting Open Science in action in order to produce Responsible Research and Innovation solutions for a particular societal challenge. As citizens and civil society organisations are becoming increasingly involved in research and innovation projects and processes, an input by Citizen Scientists can be considered for the present specific challenge.

Scope

Proposals can be inspired (but not exclusively) by previous Mobilisations and Mutual Learning Action Plans (MMLs) funded by the European Commission, in their methods or actual design and outcomes. MMLs bringing together a wide diversity of actors to deliberate and share on matters of science, technology and innovation, they can ensure an evidence-based, both knowledge and value-driven approach in support of EU policies. The proposals should enable trans-disciplinary research and innovation cooperation.

Proposals will focus on one or more of the following challenges, at multiple geographical scales (global to local):

• Health, demographic change and wellbeing;
• Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine and maritime and inland water research, and the Bioeconomy;
• Secure, clean and efficient energy (in line with the Commission priority for 2014-2019, Energy Union[1] );
• Smart, green and integrated transport;
• Climate action, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials;
• Europe in a changing world - inclusive, innovative and reflective societies (in line with the Commission priorities for 2014-2019, 'Stronger Global Actor', 'a Union of Democratic Change' and a 'New Policy on Migration'[1]) including Social Science and Humanities and Big Data ;
• Secure societies - protecting freedom and security of Europe and its citizens.

To be of real impact, proposals must ensure research and innovation solutions and their possibility can be increased by public-private partnerships whereby Citizen Science can also involved,

In line with the strategy for EU international cooperation in research and innovation (COM(2012)497), international cooperation is encouraged.

The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU of the order of EUR 3 million would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.

This action allows for the provision of financial support to third parties in line with the conditions set out in Part K of the General Annexes.

Expected Impact

The knowledge coalitions and the adoption of a responsible research and innovation approach will facilitate the uptake of socially acceptable innovative solutions. The topic will provide an Open Science pilot which will become a reference for other scientific endeavours. It will demonstrate how Open Science and RRI can be used to foster effective science-policy-society interfaces to support research and innovation at various geographical levels, in Europe. It will foster socially responsible citizen science approaches embedding the concept of RRI. It will provide EU leadership in this emerging practice of science, within Europe and in a wider global context..

Cross-cutting Priorities

• Open Science
• International cooperation