OSCARS Work Package 3, WP3 – Testing and Widening Uptake, focuses on broadening Open Science adoption and FAIR data implementation by supporting all European research communities, enabling them to contribute to, and benefit from, a user-oriented EOSC. It emphasises synergies by reusing and enhancing the impact of existing outputs, tools and recommendations.
The WP aims to do so also by pooling efforts with other existing EOSC projects, Task Forces and international fora, initiatives and Working Groups, as well as engaging with University Associations or Learned Societies, industries, citizens and society at large, to tailor platforms for hosting interdisciplinary Open Science projects and to be a catalyst for building CODAS – Composable Open Data and Analysis Services.
A notable WP3 achievement in the first period of the implementation of OSCARS is the Mentoring Framework for Open Science projects, designed to provide tailored guidance, build capacity, and ensure alignment with FAIR principles and Open Science practices. Structured around three phases—initiation, planning and implementation, and consolidation—the framework enables targeted support across diverse research domains, fostering collaboration and long-term impact. The framework emphasises a mix of mentoring formats, including one-on-one sessions, group workshops, and cross-disciplinary training, to address both domain-specific and generic needs.
Furthermore, WP3 has produced a White Paper on Life Sciences RIs Community-based Competence Centres – CCCs, endorsed by the LS-RI Science Cluster board. The paper, which provides a description of the nascent LS CCs – built following a survey of needs and services of existing LS-RI communities – has been recently submitted for peer-review and will be made publicly available to serve as a strategic reference for the community and policymakers, and to inspire similar initiatives in other Science Clusters.
One goal of the WP is also to develop a Data Steward Registry, aimed to map and connect data stewards throughout Europe, with the related contacts, roles and expertise published. This registry, whose implementation is being discussed with the Zenodo community, will enhance coordination, visibility, and recognition of data stewards skills, essential for upholding FAIR data standards across RIs and Science Clusters. Skills sets will be based on the Skills4EOSC ontology and it will be possible to integrate other terminologies for skillsets (e.g., from software developers ). Publications and login will be linked to ORCIDs accounts.
The registry may also help to draw a map of available skills (and working group involvements, e.g., RDA WG, EOSC TF and OAEG, National committees, etc.) and relative needs, and will help the decision making. It could also allow skilled data stewards to offer services like reviews and mentoring, and promote their availability for new projects and collaboration proposals at multiple levels (national, EC, etc.).
WP3 is also actively engaged with the broader Open Science community through participation in major conferences and initiatives, such as the EOSC Symposium, EGI Conference, the EC organised EOSC Coordination meetings, plus events organised by other EOSC-related projects, and EOSC Association opportunity areas working groups. These activities have fostered knowledge exchange, enhanced alignment with evolving community needs, prepared the reuse of outputs from other EOSC-related projects for the development of Competence Centres, and supported the sustainable embedding of FAIR and Open Science principles.