Euroalert.net - Open data: exploring opportunities for open access to primary environmental data - News about the European Union

"Among the projects launched under the FP7 2012 call for proposals, the European Commission has opened a call for open access to primary environmental data. The aim of this study is to explore in a comparative manner across environmental science disciplines, the main barriers and opportunities related to open access (free of charge online access) to primary environmental data, notably from EU-funded projects but also taking into account national and local data....According to the ePSI platform, the study should identify and document the difficulties and benefits scientists are facing in sharing, accessing and subsequently using 'open' primary data and it is carried out in association with European environmental research information facilities and networks. The work should be based on experience and results from earlier EU-funded projects relevant to this issue and interact with ongoing projects on or providing experiences with open access under the FP7 Cooperation Specific Programme...."