EU commissioners outline European research policy shake-up: theparliament.com

“Open access to research and data can provide a vital boost to Europe's economy, European commission vice-president for the digital agenda Neelie Kroes has announced. Speaking at a joint press conference on Tuesday, Kroes said, ‘We are opening up access to scientific papers and data.’ Outlining the commission's measure to improve access to scientific information produced in Europe, the Dutch official added, ‘It's a matter of principle. You have paid for this research, so you should have access to it. This package is big news for any start-up or small company that cannot afford this access.’ The new plans to have open access to scientific publications will be made a general principle of the EU's research and innovation funding programme for 2014-2020, Horizon 2020, with all articles produced through its funding having to be made accessible. Kroes said researchers will be able to choose between two options to make their information accessible, ‘Articles can either be made accessible online by the publisher with the publication costs paid upfront, or they can be made available through an open access database no later than six months after publication.’ The press conference, at the commission's Berlaymont building, also saw the adoption of a communication to achieve a European research area (ERA). Welcoming the new partnership between open access and ERA, European research, innovation and science commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, said, ‘Twelve years after its launch, ERA's time has now come.’ The goal of the ERA is to enable researchers, research institutions and businesses to better move, compete and cooperate across borders, which will strengthen member states' research bases, increase competitiveness and allow them to work together more effectively. Geoghegan-Quinn warned, ‘Europe is falling behind when it comes to research. In today's economy, no member state or region can afford to neglect its knowledge base...’ Geoghegan-Quinn then urged member states to remove current barriers to cross-border research careers in Europe, to step up the pursuit of joint research agendas, enhance competitive funding for projects and invest in world class facilities. ‘ERA is a policy pillar accompanying Horizon 2020. Jointly they have the potential to give rise to one per cent in EU growth and one million jobs.’”