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Dear readers,
The June issue of our newsletter concludes a month in which open science was discussed from many different perspectives. In this issue, we look back at the Open Science II Conference, introduce new methodological materials for working with metadata, and bring you the latest updates from the European EOSC landscape. We also focus on data infrastructures, the growing challenge of paper mills, and an interview with Neuron Prize laureate Michal Smetana on the quality and trustworthiness of scientific research.
Alongside the latest news, we offer several opportunities to engage with the community – from a short survey on research data storage and a call for evaluators of mini-project proposals to invitations to training events and the EOSC Symposium 2026. We conclude with a selection of highlights from the world of open biophysics and quantum technologies, which may also provide some inspiring reading during the summer holidays.
We wish you a wonderful summer.
The EOSC CZ Team
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For the upcoming second round of the Open Science II call, we are looking for experts to participate in the evaluation of mini-projects. Reviewers will assess project proposals across a range of thematic clusters, including biomedicine, materials science, data infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and the social sciences and humanities.
Join us and help ensure a high-quality and expert evaluation process for projects with the potential to strengthen Open Science in the Czech Republic.
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The Open Science III call, launched under the P JAC, will support institutions in implementing open science principles in practice, particularly in the area of research data management. The call focuses on developing human capacities, implementing the FAIR principles, embedding research data management within institutional processes, and integrating institutions with the National Data Infrastructure. Applications may be submitted from 20 July 2026 until 31 March 2027, with the possibility of an earlier closure by the funding provider.
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From the development of the National Data Infrastructure and the emergence of new repositories to the impact of artificial intelligence on the way science is conducted. Speakers at the Open Science II Conference addressed topics that are set to shape the management and use of research data across the European research landscape in the years to come.
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Help us map where researchers store their research data. The aim of this short anonymous survey is to gain a basic understanding of where researchers store their data and at which stages of the research data lifecycle. The survey contains just three questions and takes less than a minute to complete.
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Custom-written scientific papers and paid co-authorship are no longer problems confined to academic journals. In her research, Marie Kunešová from the Faculty of Applied Sciences at the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen examined how so-called paper mills are increasingly infiltrating the scientific conference environment and the impact they may have on the credibility of published research. Why do these practices manage to pass through peer review? And what role does generative artificial intelligence play in their spread?
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Czech Core Metadata Model expands support for research data management
As part of the CARDS project, the National Library of Technology has published updates on the Czech Core Metadata Model (CCMM). The newly released Guidelines for working with CCMM (in Czech) explain how to use the metadata model for the description of research data. The updates also include mappings between CCMM and DataCite, together with XSLT transformations that support interoperability between the two models and facilitate the assignment of DOI identifiers.
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Before the start of the summer, we asked several members of the EOSC CZ community what had brought them joy over the past year, where they would recommend others go for inspiration, and how they like to unwind from work. The result is a light-hearted community survey full of recommendations, personal reflections, and a reminder that open science is not only about data, tools, and infrastructures, but above all about people.
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Until recently, molecular biophysics lacked a dedicated infrastructure for storing and sharing raw experimental data in a standardised and reusable form. The new Molecular Biophysics Database (MBDB) fills this gap by providing researchers with an environment for storing, describing, sharing, and reusing data in accordance with the FAIR principles. How does the database work, and what benefits does it offer to researchers and the wider biophysics community?
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Can we trust the results published in leading scientific journals? Associate Professor Michal Smetana of the Institute of International Studies at Charles University’s Faculty of Social Sciences and a Neuron Prize laureate explains why replication is an essential part of high-quality science, how it helps identify weaknesses in research, and how generative AI is influencing today’s academic environment.
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Researchers at ETH Zurich have, for the first time, succeeded in generating certified perfectly random numbers using interconnected quantum chips. While this may appear to be a highly specialised achievement in quantum physics, its implications could be significant for the field of digital security. The new method, based on quantum entanglement, Bell tests, and randomness amplification, points the way towards more trustworthy sources of randomness for safer and more secure digital technologies.
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European research infrastructures will have a new leader from 2027. At its meeting in Nicosia, held under the auspices of the Cypriot Presidency, the ESFRI Forum elected Elena Hoffert as its next Chair. Hoffert currently serves as ESFRI Vice-Chair and is a prominent figure in European research infrastructure policy.
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We are pleased to share the recordings of the last two webinars held before the summer break.
Looking ahead to autumn, we are preparing a range of new online training sessions on topics including the RAiD identifier, research data management in grant applications, metadata, and Data Management Plans (DMPs) for STEM disciplines. Let us know which other topics you would be interested in exploring with us.
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Tips on further training
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Tue 30 Jun
This EOSC Academy webinar will explain how to connect the AAI infrastructure of individual nodes to EOSC AAI, enabling their effective integration into the EOSC Federation.
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Wed 8 Jul
The EGI Federation webinar will demonstrate how the EOSC Data Commons is integrated with the EOSC EU Node and the EGI Federation, and how this integration enables the provision of innovative services for data discovery, AI-driven analytics, and FAIR compliance assessment.
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Registration has opened for EOSC Symposium 2026, which will take place in Florence from 14 to 16 October 2026. The event will provide a forum for discussions on the future development of the EOSC Federation and European open science.
Attendance in person is limited to 500 participants, and the organisers do not plan to offer a live stream. Those interested in attending are therefore encouraged to register as early as possible.
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The Open Science Working Group of the Association of Libraries of Czech Universities will organise this year’s Open Science Week both online and in person in Brno and Prague from 20 to 22 October 2026. The programme will focus on systemic and institutional perspectives, inspiration from abroad, disciplinary practices, and experience.
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