Open science “takes advantage of the digital transition to develop open access to publications and, to the fullest extent possible, to research data”. It also aims to improve research efficiency by supporting data discovery, access, interoperability and reuse, and contributes to more transparent, faster and more universal scientific research. In addition, it plays an important role in fostering a greater understanding of, and confidence in, science among the general public.
The ANR Open Science policy, introduced in 2013, fully aligns with the National Plan for Open Science launched by the Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, Frédérique Vidal, in July 2018. The policy has three objectives:
As part of the ANR’s contribution to the promotion and implementation of open science, and in line with the National Plan for Open Science, the funded project coordinator and partners must undertake to submit the scientific publications (full text) resulting from the research project to an open archive, either directly in HAL or via a local institutional archive, in accordance with the conditions in article 30 of the French “For a digital republic” act. In addition, the ANR recommends giving preference to publication in open access journals or books.
The OECD defines research data as “factual records (numerical scores, textual records, images and sounds) used as primary sources for scientific research, and that are commonly accepted in the scientific community as necessary to validate research findings.”
The ANR supports European and international alignment efforts on the structure of open research data, and is guided by the principle: “as open as possible, as closed as necessary”. The Agency draws coordinators’ attention to the importance of considering data management and sharing at the project development phase. It requires all projects funded in 2019 onwards to produce a Data Management Plan (DMP) summarising what datasets the project will produce, how they will evolve, and how they will be shared, reused and perpetuated.
In the interest of consistency, the ANR follows the recommendations of the Committee for Open Science (CoSO), which it has consulted on this matter. It uses the Science Europe DMP template, which aims to promote the international alignment of research data. The Agency has worked closely with the French Institute for Scientific and Technical Information (INIST) to ensure that its DMP template is integrated into the OPIDoR DMP tool, so that plans can be completed online: https://dmp.opidor.fr/public_templates
The template is intended for all of the ANR’s beneficiaries, in accordance with their discipline-specific requirements. The ANR must receive it within six months of the start of the scientific research work. The plan will be updated as the project progresses in accordance with the procedures set out in the grant allocation document and the ANR financial regulation.
The Agency works with members of the wider French research and innovation community (funding agencies, research bodies, alliances, etc.) to better define and coordinate efforts to promote open access to publications and data. The ANR is represented on the steering committee of the Committee for Open Science’s permanent secretariat.
The ANR is also involved in various cross-border initiatives, where it upholds France’s position in favour of open science and bibliodiversity. It is a member of cOAlition S, which brings together several funding bodies to accelerate the transition to full and immediate access to scientific publications, and it supports the Plan S. The Agency is also a member of the French GO FAIR office.
ANR Data Management Plan template
ANR Open Science policy in calls for proposals
ANR's commitments in support of Open Science
The ANR introduces a Data Management Plan for projects funded in 2019 onwards
FLASH CALL Open Science: research practices and open research data
Open science: the ANR’s feedback to the online consultation on the Plan S implementation guidance
Committee for Open Science website
Application guide for Art. 30 of the French "For a digital republic" act
