Open science, built into the work.

Release of research processes and outputs

Subject to the applicable laws, and in particular privacy and data protection regulation, SSN strongly encourages researchers to publish open access articles and share their scientific resources – research methods and materials, software, analysis tools, physical resources, as well as raw data and metadata – as early as possible, and no later than the date of publication of the first article that relies on this data or resource.

Open practices should be considered in advance, during the planning and design stages of a study. Best practices include data management and sharing plans in reusable, machine-readable formats and in accordance with the FAIR principles, considering using and contributing to open-source software tools and using existing open data sources.

Researchers are highly encouraged to make scientific findings available early and openly through preprints of their work and use self-archiving or open access publishing to make their articles open access.

Scientific resources generated through any partnership by SSN researchers should aim to adhere to SSN Open Science Principles.

Inclusivity, collaboration and dissemination in science

SSN supports sharing of research outputs beyond SSN researchers, to foster a culture of inclusivity and shared knowledge with external collaborators and the public. SSN supports non-exclusive, irrevocably available, worldwide access and freedom-to-operate research outputs for further research, education, and humanitarian efforts. SSN believes research should be communicated in a way that allows the wider public to understand, own, and contribute to scientific progress.

Open Science Compatible Intellectual Property

SSN's position is that restrictions on reuse should be minimized whenever possible to allow for fast, impactful, and beneficial work. Researchers should positively consider alternatives to restrictive IP that maximize the unlimited freedom-to-operate of any entity, public or private, to use outputs or other results of research conducted by the SSN community and collaborators. SSN will support any efforts to minimize restrictions on the reuse and sharing of intellectual property.

Researchers and Participants Autonomy

Researchers retain full autonomy and academic freedom in how they approach Open Science. SSN recognizes and respects the autonomy of its stakeholders – including researchers, staff, trainees, and research participants – and upholds their right to opt out of participation in activities conducted under SSN's Open Science Principles or to refrain from applying SSN's Open Science principles for any purpose. However, SSN will ensure that funds designated for Open Science are used exclusively to support initiatives that align with these principles.