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Background
The milestones in the development of the Commission's policies on access to scientific information are highlighted below.
Open Access in FP7 & Horizon 2020 (including the ERC):
October 2012: Frequently asked questions on open access to publications and data in Horizon 2020 
January 2012: Survey on open access in FP7 ( 11.2MB)
November 2011: Proposal for open access in Horizon 2020
December 2010: Official launch of FP7 project OpenAIRE
August 2008: Launch of Open Access Pilot in FP7
2007 (revised June 2009): Reimbursement of publication costs in FP7 ('paid' Open Access), see page 18, article II.16.4 'other activities'
December 2007: ERC (European Research Council) Scientific Council Guidelines for Open Access
December 2006: ERC (European Research Council) Scientific Council Statement on Open Access
Open Access in the EU and in the European Research Area:
February 2013: The Competitiveness Council (Internal Market, Industry, Research and Space) ( 200KB) met on 18 and 19 February 2013 in Brussels. In the field of research, the Council held a debate on open access to scientific information resulting from publicly funded research projects. Member States supported the idea of developing broader and more rapid access to scientific publications in order to help researchers and businesses to build on the findings of publicly funded research. Moreover, ministers welcomed the Commission’s view that open access to scientific publications should be a general principle of the future Horizon 2020 research framework programme. The optimal circulation, access to and transfer of scientific knowledge is one of the objectives for the establishment of a genuine European Research Area.
January 2013: Favourable opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions – Towards better access to scientific information: Boosting the benefits of public investments in research - COM(2012) 401 final
July 2012: Recommendation on access to and preservation of scientific information
: (en, fr, de, other languages)
- Commission staff working document accompanying the Recommendation on access to and preservation of scientific information (Executive Summary of Impact Assessment)
- Commission staff working document accompanying the Recommendation on access to and preservation of scientific information (Impact Assessment) ( 738KB)
July 2012: Communication Towards better access to scientific information: Boosting the benefits of public investments in research : (en, fr, de.)
July 2012: Communication on a reinforced European Research Area partnership for excellence and growth
January 2012: Results of the public consultation on scientific information in the digital age ( 4MB)
December 2011: National Open Access and Preservation Policies in Europe ( 2.12MB)
July 2011: Launch of EC public consultation on scientific information (closes on 9 September 2011)
May 2011: Public hearing on access to and preservation of scientific information:
October 2010: Europe 2020 Flagship Initiative - Communication Innovation Union, see sections 2.2 and 3.3 (reference documents and all other languages)
May 2010: Europe 2020 Flagship Initiative - Communication A Digital Agenda for Europe, see section 2.5.2 : (en, fr, de.)
October 2009: 'Working Together to Strengthen Research in Europe – European Research Area Conference', Brussels. Conclusions of session 1.5 'Open access and preservation: how can knowledge sharing be improved in the ERA?'
November 2007: Council Conclusions on scientific information in the digital age: access, dissemination and preservation : (en, fr.)
February 2007: Communication on Scientific information in the digital age: access, dissemination and preservation COM(2007) 56 final : (en, fr, de, other languages)
- Press release: 'Scientific information in the digital age: Ensuring current and future access for research and innovation'
- Memo: 'Scientific information in the digital age: Frequently Asked Questions'
- Commission staff working document accompanying the Communication on scientific information in the digital age: access, dissemination and preservation
Other Useful Reports and Policy Documents:
May 2011: Commission Communication on a Single Market for Intellectual Property Rights Boosting creativity and innovation to provide economic growth, high quality jobs and first class products and services in Europe COM(2011) 287
February 2011: EC and FP7 Project Partners 'Open Access and preservation in the European Research Area: paving the way towards a sound strategy' report ( 988KB)
November 2010: EC and National Experts Workshop Sharing knowledge: open access and preservation in Europe report ( 896KB)
October 2010: Second Report of the European Research Area Board, Realising the New Renaissance: Policy proposals for developing a world-class research and innovation space in Europe 2030
October 2010: High Level Expert Group on Scientific Data report to the European Commission 'Riding the Wave: How Europe Can Gain From The Rising Tide of Scientific Data'
October 2009: First report of the European Research Area Board, Preparing Europe for a New Renaissance: A Strategic View of the European Research Area ( 5.48MB)
June 2009: Results ( 129KB) of questionnaire to Member States and associated countries via the Scientific and Technical Research Committee (CREST)
July 2008: Open Access Handbook – joint publication by the European Commission and the German Commission for UNESCO. ( 3.21MB)
April 2008: Commission recommendation on the management of intellectual property in knowledge transfer activities and code of practice for universities and other public research organisations
March 2008: Presidency Conclusions launching the new cycle of the renewed Lisbon Strategy for Growth and Jobs 2008–2010 : (en, fr, de.)
September 2007: Consultation on Open Access question (No. 21) of Green Paper 'The European Research Area: New Perspectives' (ERA Green Paper)
February 2007: Conference, 'Scientific Publishing in the European Research Area'
December 2006: European Research Advisory Board (EURAB) final report, 'Scientific Publication: Policy on Open Access' ( 127KB)
March 2006: Publication of EU-commissioned study on the economic and technical evolution of the scientific publication markets in Europe ( 829KB)