Researchers are increasingly expected to pursue open science in the form of open-access publication and data sharing. To help promote this movement, the Dutch Research Council set up an Open Science Fund for research projects that are specifically designed to stimulate open-science practices (go.nature.com/3mtupbd).
The response from the Dutch research community has been overwhelming. We received 167 eligible proposals, of which 26 were funded in the first round. The projects include the development of innovative publication practices and of open-source tools and software that facilitate open science; devising and setting standards for data sharing; and promoting a cultural shift towards open science.
For open science to become the norm (see https://doi.org/g47b), we suggest that funders need to recognize and encourage researchers’ participation in open science. Earlier this year, the European Commission announced a move in this direction: open science will be assessed as part of the scientific methodology under the excellence criterion of Horizon Europe’s research-funding programme (see go.nature.com/3kioleq).
