Open Science as Part of Research Culture. Positioning of the German Research Foundation

The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) considers open science as scientific practices and processes that are established or designed to make research results openly accessible for the long term, thereby ensuring an increased uptake of these results by researchers and other stakeholders. The DFG regards open science as a consequence of the digital transformation of research processes, which has essential functions in the practice of research. The DFG’s engagement of shaping open science is in terms of DFG’s role and responsibilities within the research system.

As the central self-governing research funding organisation in Germany, DFG funds research of the highest quality, strengthens the national research system through strategic funding initiatives, and shapes appropriate framework conditions and standards to enable curiosity-driven research. When implemented in a science-serving manner, open science can promote these goals by optimising research processes, facilitating the re-usability of research results, stimulating discourses within science and the humanities, increasing the transparency of science towards society and strengthening trust in research and scholarship.

With regard to open science, the DFG seeks to shape the relevant framework, while taking into account the needs and requirements of the scientific community. The DFG supports researchers and research infrastructures in establishing and applying open science practices.

The DFG is committed to the further development of principles and practices of open science based on a balanced view of its potential and challenges for research and scholarship.