Setting Up a Skills4EOSC Competence Centre

To support the new CC facilitating their establishment, what key elements, aspects they have to consider

This guide outlines the key steps involved in establishing a Skills4EOSC CC, based on the definition term.

1 Define Your Scope:

Geographic Focus

Will your CC serve a specific country, region?
Thematic Area

e.g., climate research, life sciences.
Target Audience

Who are the primary beneficiaries of your CC's training (researchers, data stewards, policymakers, etc.)?
Specific Activities and Goals

What does your CC intend to accomplish?Example: "Enhance skills in applying FAIR data principles," "Organize webinar courses"

2 Develop Your Expertise:

Competence Mapping

Identify the key competencies needed for Open Science practices in your chosen domain and audience. This may include knowledge of FAIR data principles, data management tools, and best practices for sharing and analysing research outputs.
Team Building

Assemble a team of experts with experience in Open Science, data management, and relevant scientific disciplines based on your chosen focus.

3 Establish Resources:

Training Materials

Consider the training materials you want to develop or offer (workshops, online modules, tutorials) that cover essential Open Science skills and tools relevant to your target audience.
Infrastructure

Consider the technological infrastructure needed to deliver training (online platforms, collaboration tools) and manage resources (data repository, knowledge base) and other type of services.

4 Foster Partnerships:

Stakeholder Engagement

Connect with universities, research institutions, data centres, and funding agencies in your region/country. Collaborate on training programs and resource development.
Skills4EOSC Network

Join the Skills4EOSC network to share best practices, access support, and collaborate with other CCs across Europe.

5 Promote and Disseminate:

Develop a Communication Strategy

Create a website or online presence for your CC to showcase your services, training programs, and resources.
Outreach Activities

Organize workshops, participate in conferences, and engage with potential trainees through targeted communication channels

6 Remember:

Focus on FAIR Data

Ensure your training emphasizes the principles of FAIR data (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) to promote open and transparent research practices.
User-Centric Approach

Design your training programs and resources based on the specific needs and skill gaps of your target audience.
Sustainability

Develop a long-term plan to ensure the financial and operational sustainability of your CC. This may involve securing funding from institutions, partnerships, or user fees.

By following these steps and adhering to the core definition of a Skills4EOSC CC, you can establish a valuable resource center that empowers researchers and fosters a thriving Open Science ecosystem in your region/country.

Try it yourself

By filling in the fields in this form, you can provide information about your organisation's capacity to establish an Open Science Competence Centre. Once submitted, a PDF of your answers will be generated. You can then send this PDF to the email address provided to submit your application.

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