ALLEA Calls for EU-Wide Harmonisation of Secondary Publication Rights for Scholarly Research

In a recent statement, ALLEA expresses its strong support for Secondary Publication Rights (SPRs), a legal mechanism that allows researchers to freely share publicly funded scholarly articles via institutional or other non-profit repositories.

As a longtime advocate for equitable Open Access (OA) publishing, ALLEA welcomes the introduction of SPRs in several European countries and calls for EU-wide harmonisation to standardise these rights and improve their effectiveness.  Said Professor P. Bernt Hugenholtz, principal author of the statement, “Secondary publication rights are powerful rights in the hands of the scientific community. They allow us to freely share our publications online on non-profit sites and archives without the excessive costs associated with Gold Open Access publishing. Now that several EU countries have introduced these rights in their national laws, it is important to harmonise them at the EU-level so the rules are the same across Europe.” 

SPRs as Key Enablers of Green Open Access 

First introduced in Germany in 2014, SPRs now exist in six EU countries, allowing those researchers to disseminate publicly funded work for non-commercial purposes, often following an embargo period. Researchers in countries with SPRs have found them to be a vital tool in openly sharing their research findings as they avoid the often-hefty costs associated with Gold OA models. 

The majority of EU countries have however not adopted SPRs, and their effectiveness is further limited by inconsistent rules across Europe. For example, while some countries allow only the Author Accepted Manuscript (AAM) to be shared, others permit the sharing of the Version of Record (VoR). Embargo periods also vary widely, ranging from zero to twelve months. These differences continue to create legal uncertainty and pose an additional barrier for international collaborations. 

“Secondary publication rights are powerful rights in the hands of the scientific community. They allow us to freely share our publications online on non-profit sites and archives without the excessive costs associated with Gold Open Access publishing.”

P. Bernt Hugenholtz, Principal Author and Professor of Law, Institute for Information Law, University of Amsterdam

Features of a Harmonised SPR across Europe 

ALLEA, therefore, calls for the European Commission to implement harmonised legislation that would enable SPRs to be uniformly applied across all 27 Member States. The statement, prepared by the ALLEA Permanent Working Group on Intellectual Property Rights (PWGIPR), outlines several factors that should be defined in an effective, harmonised EU-wide SPR for research: 

  • Subject Matter: The SPR should apply to all published scientific articles, studies, dissertations, reports, and conference proceedings resulting from publicly funded research. This would include works from researchers at state-funded institutions and those receiving at least 50% public funding. 
  • Embargo Period: ALLEA advocates for zero embargo periods for preprints and AAMs, allowing them to be shared immediately. However, for VoR publications, a short embargo (up to three months) could be justified to allow publishers time to recover their investment.
  • Authorised Use: Researchers should be able to share their work via non-profit repositories, institutional websites, personal websites, and social media platforms. The SPR should apply regardless of any contractual obligations with publishers or copyright transfers. 
  • Binding Nature: The SPR must be enforceable, even when publishers are based outside the EU or when contracts are governed by non-EU laws.  

As the Chair of PWGIPR, Professor Alain Strowel, explains, “Non-harmonised rules on SPRs are preventing the emergence of a common European Research Area that would allow publications to be made accessible at the same time throughout Europe despite varying contractual practices. Now more than ever, it is essential to champion the creation of a single, borderless market for research, innovation, and technology across the EU.”

“Non-harmonised rules on SPRs are preventing the emergence of a common European Research Area … Now more than ever, it is essential to champion the creation of a single, borderless market for research, innovation, and technology across the EU.”

Alain Strowel, Chair of PWGIPR and Professor of Law, UCLouvain and the University Saint-Louis, Brussels 

This statement was published at the start of International Open Access Week 2024, which continues “the call to put ‘Community over Commercialisation’ and prioritise approaches to open scholarship that serve the best interests of the public and the academic community.”

ALLEA Responds to High-Level Group’s Report on Framework Programme 10

The ALLEA Working Group on the ERA suggests calling it ‘MATRIX’.

On 16 October 2024, an independent expert group for the European Union’s next research programme published their report ‘Align, Act, Accelerate: Research, Technology and Innovation to boost European Competitiveness‘. Chaired by Portugal’s former research minister Manuel Heitor, the high-level group included several fellows of ALLEA Member Academies, such as Heinz Fassmann, President of the Austrian Academy of Sciences. The report sets out an ambitious vision for the future of European research and innovation and calls for a significant increase in the budget of the next EU Framework Programme to €220 billion — a move that ALLEA strongly supports as evident from ALLEA’s recommendations outlined in a December 2023 statement. ALLEA has consistently called for a similarly ambitious budget, recognising that such investment is necessary to ensure that Europe maintains its position as a global leader in research and innovation. While ALLEA, through its Working Group on the European Research Area (WG ERA), applauds the High-Level Group for its achievement and supports many of the report’s objectives, there are concerns regarding some of the structural changes proposed.

Budget Increase

The High-Level Group highlights the critical need for a substantial budget increase, not just to boost Europe’s competitiveness but also to sustain world-class research across all disciplines. ALLEA agrees that without this financial boost, Europe risks falling behind global competitors like the United States and China. However, it is crucial that this increase supports both fundamental and applied research so that we can ensure Europe’s leadership through a balanced investment across fields, including the Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH).

Risk of Fragmentation

The report proposes creating two new bodies — the Industrial Competitiveness and Technology Council and the European Societal Challenges Council — to manage much of FP10’s collaborative research programmes independently from the European Commission. While ALLEA acknowledges the potential benefits of increased flexibility, it is concerned that these proposed governance changes could lead to a fragmentation of the research agenda. WG ERA, in a recent meeting in Copenhagen, expressed that the emphasis on industrial competitiveness raises concerns about an overemphasis on applied research at the expense of long-term, fundamental scientific inquiry. While fostering industrial innovation is undoubtedly important, the Working Group stresses that curiosity-driven research is often the bedrock of groundbreaking discoveries. FP10 must, therefore, maintain a balance between addressing immediate industrial needs and supporting the kind of fundamental research that leads to transformative scientific advancements.

Interdisciplinary Research and the Role of SSH

Solving the complex challenges Europe faces — whether environmental, technological, or societal — requires collaboration across scientific disciplines. ALLEA values the report’s recognition of the importance of inter- and transdisciplinary research. In this context, ALLEA reiterates the importance of continuously integrating SSH into broader research agendas to ensure that solutions to societal challenges are not only technically sound, but also socially responsible and human-centred.

ALLEA remains concerned that the report’s emphasis on industrial competitiveness and applied research may unintentionally marginalise the role of SSH, and urges that the new framework take a holistic approach to research funding, ensuring that SSH disciplines are adequately represented and funded, particularly in areas such as migration, inequality, and democratic governance, where their insights are indispensable. Promoting interdisciplinarity should not come at the cost of sidelining the valuable contributions that SSH can offer.

Supporting Excellence in Widening Countries

Both ALLEA and the High-Level Group emphasise the importance of supporting research excellence in ‘Widening’ countries — those EU member states that currently lag behind in research and innovation performance, and which are essential bridges to future EU member states. ALLEA has long advocated for increased funding and capacity-building initiatives to ensure that these countries can participate fully in Europe’s research ecosystem. Ensuring that Widening countries have access to competitive funding, top-tier research infrastructure, and international collaboration opportunities will foster cohesion and facilitate access to European research ecosystems, and is crucial for building a more inclusive and resilient ERA.

Supporting Young Researchers and Fostering Mobility

A critical element of ALLEA’s vision is the support and development of early-career researchers. The High-Level Group’s report acknowledges the importance of fostering the next generation of scientific leaders by improving research mobility, providing career support, and reducing administrative burdens.

ALLEA fully endorses these goals, recognising that young researchers are the future of European science. Their ability to move freely between institutions, collaborate internationally, and access top-tier resources is essential for maintaining Europe’s research excellence. FP10 must provide funding and mobility frameworks, as well as mentorship programmes, to foster the next generation of scientific leaders through interdisciplinary and international collaboration.

Collaboration Beyond the EU

The High-Level Group’s call for enhanced international collaboration resonates strongly with ALLEA’s recommendations for FP10. In today’s globalised world, solving major challenges requires partnerships beyond the EU, particularly with institutions in non-EU countries. Increased  mobility and stronger research ties are essential for maintaining Europe’s leadership in research and innovation.

Promoting Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity and inclusion are key drivers of innovation and ensure that European research remains dynamic and relevant. ALLEA strongly supports the report’s emphasis on promoting gender equality, encouraging diversity in research teams, and ensuring the inclusion of under-represented groups. A diverse research community generates more impactful solutions.

A Balanced Approach

The High-Level Group’s report provides a comprehensive and ambitious vision for FP10, with many proposals that align closely with ALLEA’s guiding principles. ALLEA welcomes the call for a significant budget increase, the focus on Widening countries, and the importance placed on interdisciplinary research – and proposes the name ‘MATRIX’ to capture the cross-cutting, interwoven qualities and competitive robustness of the framework programme.

As the European research community prepares for the next phase of the Framework Programme, it is essential that research funding remains inclusive, transparent, and driven by scientific excellence. ALLEA remains committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure that the new framework supports a thriving, diverse, and globally competitive European research MATRIX capable of addressing the major challenges of our time.

Official negotiations on the next Framework Programme will only begin in mid-2025, on the basis of a proposal from the newly composed European Commission. FP10 will start in 2028, and is expected to have a duration of seven years, until 2034.

ALLEA Working Group on the ERA Meets at the Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters

On 11 October 2024, the ALLEA Working Group (WG) on the European Research Area (ERA) convened at the Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters in Copenhagen.

The meeting gathered representatives from across Europe to discuss key issues that will shape the future of European research and innovation. One of the primary topics was the next European Research Area (ERA) Policy Agenda. The Working Group reviewed recent developments and upcoming priorities for the ERA, highlighting the need for policies that foster collaboration and support throughout Europe’s research landscape. Members emphasised the importance of coordinated efforts to address talent retention, promote Open Science, and streamline processes to maintain Europe’s global leadership in research. 

The meeting also addressed inequalities in the European research landscape. WG ERA reaffirmed its commitment to reducing disparities between member states, particularly by supporting Widening countries, and ensuring that all regions contribute to, and benefit from, Europe’s scientific advancements. 

As discussions turned to the future of the European Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10), WG members examined the evolving priorities for FP10. They stressed the importance of balancing support for fundamental research with mission-driven projects that address pressing societal challenges. 

Discussions also addressed current threats to academic freedom, which is fundamental to the integrity and success of research. In light of some concerning developments, members of WG ERA reiterated the importance of protecting researchers’ rights to pursue their inquiries without undue interference or censorship. Safeguarding academic freedom in the European Union and beyond is essential for fostering a vibrant research environment, where innovative ideas can flourish and where scientists can engage with critical societal issues without fear of retribution.  The topic of research security was also debated. Members discussed the rising geopolitical risks to international collaboration and emphasised the need for a balanced approach to simultaneously protecting intellectual property and ethical norms while maintaining openness in research partnerships. 

This meeting strengthened the role of the ALLEA Working Group on the ERA in shaping European research policy and advancing collaboration across the continent. WG ERA remains committed to promoting excellence, inclusivity, and security in European research as the ERA and FP10 evolve. 

ALLEA Board Appoints New Vice-Presidents

On 3 July 2024, the new ALLEA Board convened its first meeting online to kick off discussions on the strategic and operational future of ALLEA. During this meeting, the recently elected ALLEA President, Pawel Rowiński (Polish Academy of Sciences), proposed two candidates for Vice-President – Annette Grüters-Kieslich and Marie Louise B Nosch – who were subsequently unanimously elected.

Prof Grüters-Kieslich (Leopoldina and The Union of German Academies of Sciences and Humanities) is a thought leader in the fields of paediatrics and endocrinology, and has made significant contributions to the study of rare diseases in children. She has also been active in promoting the development of scientific structures and career paths in biomedicine as Dean of the Medical Faculty at the Charité in Berlin. Prof Grüters-Kieslich previously served as Vice-President of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences.

Prof Nosch (Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters) is a respected voice on the interdisciplinary study of ancient textile production and Greek History. She has also contributed extensively to supporting the growth and progress of early- and mid-career researchers, and has won several accolades, including the Iris Foundation Award for Outstanding Mid-Career Scholars (2009), the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation’s Anneliese Maier Award, and the Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Palmes académiques. Until 2024, Prof Nosch served as President of the Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters.

Prof Grüters-Kieslich and Prof Nosch will serve as Vice-Presidents of the ALLEA Board from 2024-2027.

SAPEA Workshops Highlight Academy Interactions for Better Policy Advice

On 23 May 2024, SAPEA organised two engaging workshops in Berlin aiming to address key aspects of scientific collaboration among European academies and to promote the involvement of early and mid-career researchers in science advice. This event brought together 90 representatives from various European academies and was included as part of the ALLEA General Assembly.

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Event report: European Research Collaboration in a Shifting Geopolitical Landscape – How Open Can We Be?

ALLEA marked its 30th anniversary with its general assembly in Berlin on 22–23 May 2024. The event featured a public symposium which convened prominent researchers, policymakers, and civil society representatives from across Europe to explore the complexities and opportunities of open research collaboration in today’s evolving geopolitical climate.

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#ResearchMatters: Joint Letter to Strengthen Research and Innovation in Europe

In alignment with the recent ALLEA statement on the guiding principles for Framework Programme 10, which advocates for increased investment in Research and Innovation in the upcoming 10th European Union Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, ALLEA is proud to join the #ResearchMatters campaign.

Both ALLEA’s statement and the #ResearchMatters campaign call for a substantial boost in research and innovation funding, urging European leaders to allocate over 3% of GDP to R&I and to double the FP10 budget to 200 billion EUR. These measures are crucial for addressing Europe’s pressing environmental, societal, and technological challenges and for ensuring its competitiveness and future prosperity. We encourage you to read and share the open letter widely within your network.

Open letter (read the PDF here)

A call to strengthen research and innovation in Europe

In a world of major environmental, societal, and geopolitical crises, it is imperative that Europe invests in its future. Investing in our knowledge capital is the foundation for Europe’s competitiveness, wellbeing, and peace.

We need urgent solutions to address the complex challenges facing our societies: Climate change, AI, cybersecurity, environmental and energy crises, threats to democracy and security, pandemics, among others. Developing and enhancing excellent research and innovation with a long-term, multidisciplinary, and cross- sectoral perspective is key to our future.

In recent years, North America and Asia have massively ramped up their investments, leaving Europe behind. To remain competitive and advance the economic, ecological, and societal transitions, European countries and the EU must boost their research and innovation funding.

With the ResearchMatters campaign, leading research, and innovation (R&I) organisations urge Finance Ministers of European countries, and the European Council, Commission and Parliament, to act boldly and:

  • Push funding for research and innovation in Europe through the achievement of over 3% of the GDP within the European Union and all European countries.
  • Double the budget for the EU’s next research & innovation programme (FP10) to reach 200 billion
  • Protect the latter by ringfencing the budget.

Together, these measures are critical to provide Europe with strategies to cope with current and future geopolitical and societal challenges. By increasing investments in knowledge creation, research, and research- driven innovation, we are investing in the very future of Europe and its people. In this campaign, we urge the European institutions and all European countries, national and regional policymakers, the whole research and innovation community, society, and the media, to join our quest.

The time to act is now! Let’s get our act together and build a bright future for Europe. Read about the campaign and stories on the benefits of R&I on: research-matters.eu.

Sincerely,

Signing organisations:

International organisations
Academia Europaea
ALLEA (All European Academies)
CESAER (Conference of European Schools for Advanced Engineering Education and Research)
Coimbra Group Universities
EARMA (European Association of Research Managers and Administrators)
ECIU (European Consortium of Innovative Universities)
EERA (European Energy Research Alliance
EOSC Association
EASSH (European Alliance for Social Sciences and Humanities)
EUA (European University Association)
EU-LIFE (Alliance of independent European research institutes in the life science)
Eurodoc
EUPRIO (European Association of Communication Professionals in Higher Education)
EuroTech Universities Alliance
LERU (League of European Research Universities)
Science Europe
UAS4EUROPE
The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities
ISE (Initiative for Science in Europe)
UnILiON (Universities Informal Liasion Offices Network)
YERUN (Young European Research Universities Network)
Young Academy of Europe

National organisations
ARCES

Universities
Hanken School of Economics, Sweden
Eindhoven University of Technology
Politecnico di Torino, Italy
Vrije Universiteit Brussels

If you’re interested in signing this initiative, please send an e-mail at info@research-matters.eu.

Academic Symposium Highlights Path Forward for European Research Collaboration

Yesterday, leading academics and policy experts from across Europe came together to discuss the critical role of international research collaboration in today’s rapidly changing geopolitical environment. ALLEA had invited them to Berlin for a public symposium on ‘European Research Collaboration in a Shifting Geopolitical Landscape’. 

As a part of ALLEA’s 30th-anniversary celebrations and their annual general assembly, this event took place at the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities. It was co-hosted by the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, the Union of the German Academies of Sciences and Humanities, and the Junge Akademie.

The Value of Open Research Collaboration

Fabiola Gianotti, Director-General of CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, and world-leading physicist, received ALLEA’s Madame de Staël Prize for her distinguished contributions to European values and science collaboration. In her keynote address, Dr Gianotti gave an inspirational talk about her experiences in CERN and the discovery of the Higgs boson. As the leader of Europe’s most significant collaborative research project and one of the world’s most influential scientists, Dr Gianotti stressed that scientific cooperation, open science and data are essential means of boosting science and reducing global inequities. She depicted CERN as a laboratory for people around the world and as a model for global collaboration that not only drives innovation, but also creates and maintains a value system that promotes peace and prosperity in a world facing significant geopolitical shifts.

Limits to Openness

The symposium featured engaging discussions with a panel of international experts and leaders in academia and policy, including Katja Becker (German Research Foundation – DFG), Nienke Buisman (European Commission), Janneke Gerards (Utrecht University), Fabiola Gianotti (CERN), and Valeska Huber (University of Vienna). 

The panel addressed the role of research collaboration and its limits amid geopolitical complexities by asking: “How open can we be?”. It was stressed that the autonomy and freedom of research and researchers are indispensable, but that the times dominated by a romantic illusion of openly sharing data and ideas with everyone without any risk are over. 

An emphasis was also put on the fact that international scientific cooperation needs to be both open and safe, and that the goal should be to build capacity at various levels in European research systems. The main objective for policies governing research collaboration and research security should be providing researchers and research institutions with the necessary means to make informed decisions on the ‘red lines’ before entering international collaborations. 

Responsible Internationalisation

To conclude, the discussions underscored the necessity of strengthening international partnerships, for instance through international academy networks such as ALLEA. The symposium explored practical solutions to overcome barriers to such collaboration, emphasising the importance of maintaining high standards of academic freedom, integrity, and responsibility, creating a safe research environment, enabling an open debate, supporting the international mobility of researchers, and ultimately reducing polarisation and conflict within and between our societies.

For more information and documentation about the symposium, please visit the ALLEA General Assembly website: https://www.alleageneralassembly.org/scientific-symposium-2024-allea-general-assembly/

ALLEA Turns 30 and Elects New President, Board, and Members

The General Assembly of ALLEA, the European Federation of Academies of Sciences and Humanities, convened in Berlin to commemorate its 30th anniversary and inaugurate a new president and board. Paweł Rowiński assumed the role of the organisation’s eighth president, taking over from Antonio Loprieno, who led ALLEA from 2018 onwards. Additionally, the assembly welcomed three young academies as new members thereby expanding ALLEA’s total membership to 59.

Around 70 delegates from across Europe gathered in Berlin on 22 May for the 2024 ALLEA General Assembly, co-hosted by the National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, the Union of German Academies of Sciences and Humanities, and the German Young Academy. The event stood as a milestone in ALLEA’s history, commemorating the 30th anniversary of the organisation, as well as consolidating its legal status as a registered charitable organisation in Germany.

The meeting of representatives from more than 50 member academies marked the starting point for a new president and board for the term 2024-2027. Professor Paweł Rowiński of the Polish Academy of Sciences, who has served on the organisation’s board since 2018, will steer ALLEA as President for the next three years.

Professor Rowiński, an outstanding scholar specialising in Earth Sciences, previously held the position of Vice-President at the Polish Academy of Sciences from 2015 to 2022 and serves as the Director of the academy’s Institute of Geophysics in Warsaw. His research interests include mathematical methods in geophysics, geophysical flows, river hydrodynamics, and fluvial hydraulics. In addition to his notable contributions to his field of study, he actively engages in science advice, science popularisation, science ethics, and demonstrates a strong commitment to water and climate issues.

“ALLEA is a strong voice of European science on a global level and plays a crucial role in shaping the research ecosystem, promoting academic freedom, facilitating a green transition even in times of crises, and advising on the EU Framework Programmes for Research and Innovation. I am deeply honoured and grateful for the opportunity to serve ALLEA in the coming years. As international collaboration faces increasing challenges, cross-border cooperation among academies becomes more vital than ever. I am committed to working closely with all ALLEA members to ensure that the voice of the academies continues to be heard,” said Professor Rowiński about his upcoming presidency at ALLEA.

He succeeds Antonio Loprieno from the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences, who has led ALLEA as President since 2018. Reflecting on his term, Professor Loprieno remarked, “It has been a privilege to serve the community of European academies in a critical, but also pivotal period of our institutional history: a time during which science has turned into a decisive player in social and political life in European societies; a time during which the voice of European scientific academies has become clearer, younger, and stronger. And it is particularly gratifying to see that ALLEA’s mission will be continued by very capable hands!”

The new ALLEA Board who will serve alongside President Rowiński includes:

  • Jūras Banys – Lithuanian Academy of Sciences
  • Ylva Engström – Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
  • Annette Grüters-Kieslich – National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina/Union of the German Academies of Sciences and Humanities
  • Lara Keuck, succeeded by Kerstin Pahl (July 2025) – German Young Academy
  • Marie Louise Nosch – Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters
  • Jozef Ongena – Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium for Science and the Arts
  • Päivi Pahta – Council of Finnish Academies
  • Karin Roelofs – Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences
  • Neri Salvadori – Academy of the Lincei, Italy
  • Camilla Serck-Hanssen – Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters

The ALLEA General Assembly welcomed three new members: the Young Academy of Belgium (Flanders), the Young Academy of Spain, and the Hungarian Young Academy, thereby increasing the total membership to 59 academies from EU and non-EU countries, including young and senior academies. With their admission, ALLEA now counts six young academies among its members, reflecting the organisation’s commitment to promoting inclusivity, diversity, and collaboration across generations.

 

2024 European Parliament Election: National Academy Presidents Sign a Joint Address to Prioritise Science and Education

Today, presidents of national academies of sciences of the EU addressed a message to the candidates for the 2024 European Parliament elections. The address underscores the indispensable role of robust, open, and free science and education for Europe’s future.

Given the significant representation of ALLEA member academies among its signatories, the EU national academies’ address echoes ALLEA’s core mission and priorities, reflecting our shared vision on the primacy of science and education in shaping Europe’s future trajectory. This statement stands as a pertinent message to the candidates of the 2024 European Parliament elections, emphasising the importance of international cooperation, academic freedom, and the use of scientific evidence in policymaking. Read it here