On 22 May 2025, the Open Science Network Day will take place in Brussels, at the Herman Teirlinck Building on the Tour & Taxis site. This event will bring together members of the Flemish Research Data Network (FRDN) to exchange experiences and reflect on the key achievements of the past five years. With the completion of the first Open Science Policy Plan, this is the perfect opportunity to showcase inspiring examples and successful policy implementations.
In addition, the Network Day will look ahead: what direction will Open Science take in Flanders? Which international trends and best practices can guide us forward?
Who should attend the Open Science Network Day?
Are you a researcher, data steward, policymaker, IT specialist, legal expert, or otherwise involved in Open Science? Then this event is the perfect opportunity to share insights, expand your network, and contribute to the discussion on the next steps in Open Science.
Belnet and FedOSC: building a federal Open Science infrastructure
Belnet plays an active role in Open Science by contributing to the development of a robust research infrastructure.
During the Open Science Network Day, our colleague Sam Kauranne, project lead of FedOSC (Federal Open Science Cloud), will present the progress and key developments of this federal initiative.
FedOSC is a strategic initiative supporting Federal Scientific Institutions (FSI) in implementing Open Science practices and FAIR data management. Launched in April 2024, the project focuses on four key pillars:
- Developing technical infrastructure, including persistent identifier (PID) services.
- Strengthening data stewardship and research data management support across FSIs
- Enhancing data discoverability and interoperability.
- Providing strategic support for Open Science initiatives within FSIs
Through close collaboration between Belnet, Belspo, and the FSIs, FedOSC aims to establish a sustainable Open Science framework that respects Belgium’s institutional diversity while maximizing research visibility and impact. Additionally, we will explore how certain parts of the infrastructure developed for the federal scientific landscape could also be made available to other members of the Belnet R&E community.
During his presentation, Sam Kauranne will share updates on the project’s progress, key insights from the needs assessment, and explore potential synergies with parallel initiatives in the Flemish research landscape.
The Open Science Network Day 2025 will be held entirely in English.
Want to be part of the conversation on the future of Open Science in Flanders and beyond?