Open Science
Open Science refers to a range of initiatives designed to foster open science. A strategic priority for Swiss universities, Open Science enhances the transparency, impact and quality of scientific research in the long term. Key aspects of Open Science include Open Access and Open Research Data.
In 2015 and 2020, SERI mandated swissuniversities to coordinate two national strategies: one for Open Access (scientific publications) and the other for Open Research Data (research data). These two strategies and respective action plans have been implemented since 2017 and 2022. The Open Access strategy was revised in 2024. The SNSF, ETH Domain, and Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences contributed to the development of both strategies and action plans under the guidance of the swissuniversities Open Science Delegation. Other stakeholders were also involved through consultations and workshops. As the highest higher education policy body of the Confederation and cantons, the Swiss Conference of Higher Education Institutions approved the strategies.
Switzerland’s Open Access and Open Research Data strategies aim to provide open (i.e. free) access to all research findings obtained through public funding. FAIR principles apply, meaning all research data must be findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable. Open access to research findings offers numerous advantages:
- Open Science improves the accessibility and verifiability of research findings, thereby enhancing the impact and quality of scientific research.
- Open access to scientific publications and research data enables faster, more effective and cost-efficient societal benefits to be derived from scientific research.
- Open Science is a key prerequisite for fostering innovation in the Swiss economy, particularly for research-intensive SMEs.
The implementation of the two aforementioned national strategies enables Switzerland to pursue a coherent and ambitious Open Science policy aligned with European and international developments in this area. This is essential for Switzerland as an internationally significant research hub with a number of research- and innovation-driven companies. Strategy implementation is primarily supported through the Open Science programme, which is coordinated by swissuniversities in collaboration with all higher education institutions. The federal government contributes around half of the programme’s budget through project subsidies under the Higher Education Act (HEdA).
The ORD Strategy Council (ORD) was set up by swissuniversities, the ETH Domain, the SNSF, and the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences as a joint coordinating body to further consolidate and develop Switzerland's Open Research Data landscape.