Open Science is endorsed and actively promoted by many research funding organisations. The requirements go furthest for Open Access, i.e. free access to publications. Increasingly, however, funders also set requirements and offer support for the open handling of research data (Open Data) and research code (Open Code). In the EU, the European Commission promotes Open Science through its framework programmes. In addition, there are numerous funding activities by national governments and research organisations.

Below is a summary of what the EU and the main funders in Germany expect from researchers regarding publications, research data and research code, and where they offer support. The Open Science Overview in Europe by OpenAIRE provides a starting point for other European countries. For comparable country data on Open Science policies, see the EOSC Open Science Observatory.

Under the Horizon Europe framework programme, certain Open Science practices are mandatory for all funded projects. The requirements are set out in the grant agreement (Article 17). The Factsheet: Open Science in Horizon Europe provides an overview.

• Publications: Peer-reviewed scientific publications must be openly accessible. Fees for publishing in Open Access journals are eligible costs during the project.
• Research data: A data management plan is mandatory for projects that generate or reuse data. Data must be handled in line with the FAIR principles and made accessible according to the principle “as open as possible, as closed as necessary”. Data management costs are eligible.
• Research code: There is no obligation to publish code openly. However, projects must provide information on the software, algorithms or workflows needed to validate the results. Making them openly available is recommended.

Open Research Europe is also available as a free Open Access publishing platform for all disciplines. Since autumn 2026, it has been open not only to EU-funded projects but to all researchers at institutions in the eleven participating countries, including Germany.

German Research Foundation (DFG)

The DFG calls on funded researchers to publish their project results Open Access, but does not oblige them to do so. This is based on Guideline 13 of the DFG Guidelines for Safeguarding Good Research Practice.

• Publications: Publication funds can be requested in the project proposal (individual grants: €750 per year), including for Open Access fees. The DFG also co-funds the publication funds of many institutions; the library is usually the first point of contact. From 2027, funded researchers who are not affiliated with an eligible institution, or who have additional needs such as image licences, can apply for allowances themselves. Through Germany’s participation in Open Research Europe, all researchers at institutions in Germany can publish there free of charge, regardless of whether their project is funded by the DFG.
• Research data: Every proposal must include a section on the handling of research data. What to include is set out in the DFG checklist (in German), for example documentation, storage, legal issues and reuse. Data management costs can be requested. Research data must be archived for ten years.
• Research code: There is no obligation to publish code openly. According to DFG guidance, proposals should explain how the software will be developed, documented and licensed. Open publication routes and licences in line with the FAIR principles for research software are preferred. Staff for software development can be requested.

Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR)

• Publications: Under the BMFTR’s Open Access clause (in German), journal articles from funded projects should be openly accessible immediately or after twelve months at the latest. Open Access publication costs can be included in the project proposal and are then covered during the project. Costs that arise only after the project ends should therefore be planned for early.
• Research data: Requirements for handling research data are set out in the respective funding guideline. A data management plan is often required.
• Research code: As with research data, there are no general requirements. What applies is set out in the respective funding guideline.

Further information from the BMFTR on Open Access is available on Bildung-Forschung.digital (in German).

Secondary publication right

Regardless of the funder, German law grants a non-waivable secondary publication right (Section 38 (4) German Copyright Act). Under this right, you can make the accepted manuscript of a journal article openly available twelve months after first publication. The conditions are that the article results from research that was at least half publicly funded and appeared in a periodical published at least twice a year. In addition, it must not be made available for commercial purposes, and the first publication must be cited.