Open science

Data Policies and Principles​

The Belmont Forum recognizes that open data sharing is essential to address the challenges of global environmental change.


With this in mind, in 2015, the Belmont Forum adopted an Open Data Policy based on recommendations from its Community Strategy and Implementation Plan (CSIP), which was revised in 2024 [LINK TO NEW VERSION].


 

The policy’s purpose is to facilitate access to scientific data and improve informed decision-making regarding environmental changes.


This policy aims to widen access to data, promote its long-term preservation, and improve data management and usage. Additionally, it encourages data literacy and the implementation of best practices.


The Belmont Forum advocates for an integrated approach to its research programs, and recommends training in data management and planning for the costs associated with data-intensive research. The ultimate goal is to establish global, interoperable, and accessible digital infrastructure that fosters collaborative science and benefits society.

Key Data Principles

The Belmont Forum believes that scientific data should be:

Discoverable through catalogs 
and search engines.

Accessible as open data with 
minimal delay.

Understandable to researchers 
across various disciplines.

Reusable and include provenance, quality, and uncertainty indicators.

Managed and protected for future use in trustworthy repositories.

The Belmont Forum and its members are committed to promoting and applying these principles, reinforcing scientific integrity, and fostering global innovation through better use of research data.



 

Several projects funded by the Belmont Forum have made their data sets available as open access, in line with the Belmont Forum Data Policies and Principles. Researchers are encouraged to use these data sets to enhance scientific collaboration and advance the goals of the Belmont Challenge.



 

To view the Belmont Forum Data Set Catalog, click here. For more details or to get involved, please contact the Secretariat [ADD LINK TO CONTACT FORM].