European Open Science Cloud for Research | Newsletter items

"Following a recent joint statement on the European Open Science Cloud for Research (EOSC) by EUDAT, LIBER, OpenAIRE, EGI and GÉANT, the first in a series of workshops to discuss this joint vision was organised in Bari in November 2015. The second workshop, took place in Rome 5th February 2016, focused on understanding the roles of e-Infrastructures and Research infrastructures in this initiative, together with the potential governance models for a concrete contribution to Europe’s Digital Single Market. The complete programme and links to the presentations can be found here. During the workshop, the need for a European Open Science Cloud for Research (EOSC) was discussed. EOSC will offer 1.7 million European researchers and 70 million Science and Technology professionals a virtual environment for storage, management, analysis and data re-use - across borders and scientific disciplines. EOSC will be funded by the European Commission, and at the Rome workshop, 120 participants – including researchers, research infrastructure, and e-Infrastructures together with national and international service providers, data centre and research organisation strategists and decision makers - gathered to discuss potential governance models, sustainability and participants' expectations.   This second workshop organised by OpenAIRE and its partners continued to move the conversation on the EOSC forward. The chair of the ESOC High Level Expert Group, Barend Mons, gave insights to the findings of the group and the imminent report with recommendations focusing on three pillars: Policy, Governance and Implementation. Those focused on policy aspects are: the necessity to take immediate, affirmative action in close concertation with Member States. The discussion and thoughts on the‘perceived need’ should now stop. The EOSC must build on existing capacity and expertise where possible, a strong message that was also echoed by many of the panellists. Finally, it is imperative to frame the EOSC as Supporting Internet based protocols & applications.In terms of governance the four recommendations are 1) to aim at the lightest possible, internationally effective governance; 2) provide guidance only where guidance is due; 3) to define Rules of Engagement for formal participation in the EOSC and 4) to federate the Gems across Member States. During successive discussions, participants asked that in addition to definition of the rules of engagement, there should be clear rules of conduct as well ..."