Important developments

International initiatives

The SNSF actively participates in the international debate on Open Access and has signed the following reference documents:

Amsterdam Call for Action on Open Science

The Call for Action on Open Science was the result of the conference “Open Science – From Vision to Action”, which took place in Amsterdam on 4/5 April 2016, on the occasion of the EU presidency of the Netherlands.

Amsterdam Call for Action on Open Science

Science Europe Principles on Open Access to Research Publications

The 51 member organisations of the umbrella organisation Science Europe are making a concerted effort to ensure that the results of research and innovation funded by public money in Europe are made freely accessible in a digital format. They have defined a list with ten principles which are to lend coherency and consistency to their OA efforts. Through its active participation in Science Europe, the SNSF has contributed to the position paper and committed itself to the principles mentioned therein.

Science Europe Principles on Open Access to Research Publications (PDF)

OA2020 initiative

The SNSF has signed the international OA2020 initiative for the introduction of open access to scientific journals across the board. Over 30 research funding organisations already support the Expression of Interest in the OA2020 initiative. Together they aim to transform scientific publishing and implement wide-ranging and free online access to research articles, including their unrestricted use and re-use.

Initiative OA2020

Berlin Declaration on Open Access to Knowledge in the Sciences and Humanities

This document provides one of the first definitions of Open Access. Although it was primarily addressed to the humanities and social sciences, the Berlin Declaration soon became generally applicable to the academic community as a whole. It is now an integral part of the OA movement.

Berlin Declaration on Open Access to Knowledge in the Sciences and Humanities

Budapest Open Access Initiative

This text, which was drawn up by pioneers of the OA movement, remains an important text and often serves as a reference when it comes to defining OA.

Budapest Open Access Initiative