When preparing a Horizon Europe proposal, most applicants focus on excellence, impact, and consortium building. However, one requirement that is often underestimated is Open Science.
Many organisations still see Open Science as an administrative obligation to address after a project has been funded. In reality, it is an integral part of Horizon Europe and should be considered from the proposal stage onward. Demonstrating a clear and credible Open Science approach can strengthen your application and lay the foundation for successful project implementation.
What is Open Science?
The European Commission defines Open Science as an approach that promotes the early and broad sharing of scientific knowledge, research outputs, and tools to maximise the impact of publicly funded research. Under Horizon Europe, Open Science is a legal obligation and follows the principle of:
“As open as possible, as closed as necessary.”
This means that while research outputs should generally be openly accessible, legitimate reasons—such as intellectual property protection, commercial exploitation, confidentiality, security, or personal data protection—may justify restricting access.
The Mandatory Open Science Requirements
Every Horizon Europe beneficiary must comply with two core requirements:
1. Open Access to Scientific Publications
Peer-reviewed publications resulting from the project must be made openly available. Publications should be deposited in a trusted repository and made accessible immediately upon publication under appropriate licensing conditions.
2. FAIR Research Data
Research data should follow the FAIR principles:
- Findable
- Accessible
- Interoperable
- Reusable
Not every dataset needs to be publicly released, but applicants should clearly explain any justified restrictions and ensure that metadata remains accessible whenever possible.
The Importance of the Data Management Plan
One of the key tools for complying with Open Science obligations is the Data Management Plan (DMP).
The DMP describes how research data will be collected, stored, protected, shared, and preserved throughout the project lifecycle. It is a living document that evolves as the project progresses and helps ensure compliance with Horizon Europe requirements.
Beyond Compliance: Recommended Open Science Practices
Horizon Europe also encourages applicants to adopt additional practices whenever relevant to their project, including:
- Early sharing of research outputs
- Open collaboration among researchers
- Citizen science and stakeholder engagement
- Sharing software, methodologies, and research tools
- Participation in open peer review
These practices are not always mandatory, but they can demonstrate a stronger commitment to transparency, collaboration, and research impact.
Why Open Science Matters for Proposal Success
Open Science is not simply a compliance exercise.
Evaluators assess whether applicants have appropriately integrated Open Science into their research methodology and implementation strategy. A well-developed Open Science approach demonstrates that project results will be credible, reusable, and capable of generating wider societal and scientific impact.
Applicants who address these aspects early often avoid common implementation challenges later in the project.
How Inspiralia Supports Horizon Europe Applicants
At Inspiralia, we help organisations integrate Open Science requirements from the earliest stages of proposal development.
Our support includes:
- Identifying applicable Open Science obligations
- Developing proposal sections aligned with Horizon Europe expectations
- Advising on research data management strategies
- Supporting Data Management Plan preparation during project implementation
- Ensuring compliance while protecting intellectual property and commercial interests
By embedding Open Science into your proposal from the beginning, you can improve both the quality of your application and your project’s long-term impact.
Need support with your next Horizon Europe proposal?
Whether you’re preparing your first application or coordinating a large collaborative project, our experts can help you navigate Horizon Europe requirements with confidence and build proposals designed for success.