Competence Centre

Discover the Spanish Competence Centre for Open Science and Research Data, a hub that promotes Open Science and FAIR data practices in Spain

What is a Competence Centre(CC)

A Competence Centre (CC) is a nationally or thematically focused hub that provides training, resources, and expertise to support the adoption of Open Science and FAIR data practices. Acting as a central reference point within its region or research domain, each CC helps researchers and institutions develop the necessary skills for managing, sharing, and reusing research data responsibly. These centres also host Train-the-Trainer programs to build a network of qualified instructors and collaborate across a European-wide network to ensure consistent standards, curricula, and accreditation in Open Science education.

About Spanish Competence Centre for Open Science and Research Data

➤ Our Mission

The Spanish Competence Centre (Spanish CC) promotes Open Science and FAIR data practices across Spain. Through coordinated training, infrastructure, and community engagement, we support researchers, institutions, and policy-makers in advancing responsible research and innovation.

➤ Our Origins

The OpenScienceLab, formally created in 2022 and directed by Eva Méndez, is a research group at the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid focusing on metaresearch in Open Science, FAIR data, research assessment, and Open Science education. Since 2015, OpenScienceLab members have been actively training researchers, data stewards, and Open Science professionals, with a particular emphasis on early-career researchers. Participation in the Skills4EOSC project inspired the creation of this Competence Centre, uniting key Spanish actors already collaborating on strategic initiatives such as the National Strategy for Open Science (ENCA) and the Spanish Reproducibility Network.

➤ Organization and Structure of the Spanish Competence Centres

The Spanish CC operates as a collaborative network coordinated by:

  • OpenScienceLab – UC3M (overall coordination and leadership)

  • FECYT (policy coordination and support for Open Science infrastructures)

  • BSC-SSH (technical capabilities and methodological innovation in data-intensive research)

This coordinated structure ensures the Centre can effectively deliver training, guidance, and community engagement activities to support Spanish participation in the European Open Science Cloud and the widespread adoption of FAIR and Open Science practices

Logo OpenScienceLab azul

➤ Competences

The competences available within the Spanish Competence Centre include:

  • Training and capacity building for researchers, data stewards, and support staff.
  • Research data management and FAIR principles, including data management planning and metadata standards.
  • Open Access and Open Science publishing models.
  • Interoperability and technical support, with a focus on data infrastructures and high-performance computing applied to Social Sciences and Humanities.
  • Community engagement and awareness raising through events and outreach activities.
  • Support for reproducibility and responsible research practices.
  • Policy and strategic coordination in Open Science and research assessment.

➤ Resources and Operational Tools

  • A dedicated training and demonstration laboratory at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M), equipped with technical infrastructure to support workshops, pilot projects, and collaborative activities.
  • Training materials, guidelines, policy documents, and good practices developed within national and European projects (e.g., Skills4EOSC, FAIRsFAIR, Twin4MERIT)
  • Recorded webinars, video tutorials, and presentations.
  • Collaborative platforms for project management, document sharing, and virtual meetings.
  • Video conferencing and webinar systems to support remote training and community engagement.
  • Tools and templates for data management plans, research assessment processes, and Open Science workflows. Gamification of training in all these areas. 
  • Communication channels and dissemination materials, including websites, newsletters, and social media.

➤ Services Offered

1. Training and Capacity Building

  • Training courses and workshops in Open Science, Open Access, Research Data Management (FAIR data), Responsible Research Assessment (RRA), etc.
  • Facilitating access to training materials.
  • Guides, guidelines, and good practices documentation.

2. Coordination and Collaboration

  • Coordination of the Spanish Reproducibility Network (SPRN) and organization of reproducibility training and activities, particularly for Early-career researchers.
  • Collaboration with other national and thematic Competence Centres and Open Science and research data training infrastructures in Europe and Latin America

3. Community Engagement and Events

  • Community engagement activities, including the Open Science Community Madrid (OSCM).
  • Events, such as Open Science Café sessions and ReproducibiliTea meetings.
  • Awareness-raising campaigns and dissemination activities.

4. Support and Advisory Services

  • Support and advice on Open Science and Responsible Research Assessment for researchers and institutions.
  • Pilot projects to test and showcase Open Science tools and workflows.

5. Monitoring, Dissemination and Advocacy

  • Monitoring and reporting on the adoption of Open Science practices.
  • Promoting transparency, collaboration, innovation, and Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) within the scientific community.