Open research, also widely referred to as open science, relates to how research is performed and how knowledge is shared based on the principle that research should be as open as possible. It also enables research to take advantage of digital technology.
Transparency, openness, verification and reproducibility are important features of research and innovation. Open research helps to support and uphold these features across the whole lifecycle of research – improving public value, research integrity, reuse and innovation.
Open research also helps to support collaboration within and across disciplines. It is integral to a healthy research culture and environment.
All of this is underpinned by open research policies, practices and procedures that support those undertaking research. They raise awareness of expected standards and behaviours and promote wider systems changes for the benefit of the whole community.
The role of UKRI
Open research is integral to UKRI’s mission to deliver economic and social benefit. Accessible, transparent, reproducible and cooperative research:
- underpins quality and efficiency in the research process
- ensures research outputs are readily shared.
Our ambition is to lead improvements through policy, practice and technological innovations to achieve an open research system that operates internationally.
To do this we will:
- support the adoption of open research through collaboration and alignment with national and international partners
- support the transition towards an open and transparent research system and address key challenges – by developing policy, rewards and incentives to achieve open research and the necessary digital research infrastructure
- ensure open access and open research data – two key aspects of open research – are core priorities.
Our main activities
Open access
UKRI published its new open access policy for research articles and academic books in August 2021. The policy aims to make published outputs of UKRI-funded research widely and freely accessible, under conditions that allow maximum reuse.
You can find:
- our open access policy in making your research publications open access
- information about how we decided our new policy and will be implementing it in shaping our open access policy
- additional open access information and resources in our good research resources hub.
Developing a new UKRI research data policy
UKRI aims to achieve open research data that is ‘findable’, accessible, interoperable and re-useable, (the FAIR Data Principles).
In April 2025 we published a new draft UKRI research data policy. This aims to update and harmonise UKRI’s expectations for sharing and managing research data and other digital objects, such as software and code, arising from UKRI funding research.
You can find the draft policy and information about its development and how to provide feedback on the UKRI engagement hub.
You can find:
- our current research data policies and guidance at making your research data open
- further open data information and resources in the UKRI good research resource hub.
Responsible research assessment
UKRI is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration of Research Assessment.
We are updating research assessment practice according to the principles of the seeking to ensure reward of openness and diversity in research.
Working internationally
Working internationally is important in achieving openness and transparency in research. Examples of our activities include:
- being a member cOAlition S, along with a number of other national research funders and foundations, with the support of the European Commission. The coalition aims to help provide full and immediate open access to research publications
- working with Science Europe and its members on activities to promote and develop open access, open data and responsible research assessment
- engaging with a range of international open science and data initiatives such as:
- the European Open Science Cloud
- Horizon Europe
- the OECD Council’s revised recommendation concerning access to research data from public funding
- international forums such as the Research Data Alliance.
Contact us
Ask about UKRI’s work on open access, open data and responsible research assessment
Email: openresearch@ukri.org
Ask about UKRI’s open access policy and associated funding
Email: openaccess@funding.ukri.org
Last updated: 10 April 2025