Open data access for fusion research (CSA Coordination and support action) - NFRP-2018-11

Deadline: Sep 27, 2018  
CALL EXPIRED

Open access to data produced by projects funded by the Horizon 2020 is a growing priority and in the near future will become a requirement for all Horizon 2020-supported grants, including also the Euratom Programme. In the area of fusion, research data generated either by experimental devices or through computer simulations are fundamental and form the basis for the majority of scientific advances and publications in the domain. However, providing easy and transparent access to data, especially from the many different experimental devices, is a challenge, even for a very technically-minded research community such as in fusion. In order to provide the standardised access methods needed to ensure ease of use and interoperability of data, significant resources are required in terms of planning and development of suitable platforms and tools. The specific challenge to be addressed by this action is therefore to: (i) identify the data that would bring the most added value from greater accessibility and openness; and (ii) development of the support tools and platforms required to provide easy and standardised access to the identified data.

The scope covers the comprehensive assessment of open data requirements and issues within the fusion programme, the recommendation of the best technical approaches for providing easy access to data, and the development of support platforms and tools required to implement an open data policy adapted to the needs of the fusion research programme. This could be achieved by pooling the talent and knowledge from other big science programmes and organisations, such as those participating in the EIROforum. The duration of the action will be for 2 years.

The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from Euratom Programme of between EUR 1 and up to a maximum of and EUR 2 million would allow this specific challenge to be addressed adequately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.

The successful conclusion of this action would, in addition to developing the tools and platforms needed for an open data approach, raise the profile and awareness of open data within the fusion programme. It would also lay the foundations for implementing an open data policy that is well adapted to the needs of the present and especially the future fusion energy research programme, particularly in the run up to the operation of ITER from the middle of the next decade.

Open Science