Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) is committed to ensuring that all outputs arising from SFI-funded research are openly available. To this end, SFI is a signatory of Plan S and cOAlition S member, an initiative to make full and immediate Open Access to research publications a reality. In line with the principles espoused by Plan S and those of the National Framework on the Transition to an Open Research Environment arising, SFI's Open Access policy has been updated. This update will support Ireland in achieving its goal of ensuring that the outputs of all publicly-funded research are openly available.

Dr Marion Boland, Head of Research Policy at SFI, commented: “Policy mandates can often be powerful drivers of change, for the good. Open Research practices encourage collaboration, support the integrity and reproducibility of research, and importantly, ensure that maximum impact can be realised from research findings. We look forward to working with all national Stakeholders to ensure that the spirit of this policy can be fully realised.”

Earlier this year, SFI became a signatory of the San Francisco Declaration of Research Assessment (DORA) which is often seen as a complementary initiative to Open Research. Together, DORA and Plan S will help change the way research is produced, accessed and utilised, for the better, supporting the emergence of different types of collaboration and more cross-disciplinary research to more effectively address societal needs.