Following the launch of the Principles of Open Science Monitoring in July 2025, a survey was conducted by OSMI in late 2025 to look at how early adopters across the global research community are beginning to put them into practice. With feedback from 18 countries, the results highlight a commitment to the three core pillars: (1) relevance and significance, (2) transparency and reproducibility, and (3) self-assessment and responsible use.
The survey results indicate that institutions, ranging from major universities to national research centres, have made structural changes to adopt the principles. Key best practices identified include using open-source tools and integrating open datasets to ensure full transparency and reproducibility. In addition to the technical aspects, institutions are prioritising accessibility by creating intuitive interfaces that enable policymakers and researchers alike to navigate complex data easily. The impact of the Principles is also seen at the strategic level, where they are being embedded into institutional vision statements and Open Access mandates. Those who have begun applying the Principles also express gratitude for this important work. They are viewed as extremely useful in designing tools that are both technically robust and aligned with the values of openness and transparency.
Looking ahead, respondents indicated that future actions will focus on:
- Self-evaluations to identify gaps in their current open science monitoring systems. This includes auditing existing dashboards against OSMI guidelines and ensuring that every new module or functionality remains transparent, open, and accessible from the design phase onward.
- Development of open infrastructures that align with FAIR standards. This includes improving data portability through standardised export formats, ensuring that national and institutional platforms can integrate and exchange information seamlessly.
- The Principles will serve as a foundation for evidence-based decision-making. Future actions include embedding the framework into national monitoring models, Open Access mandates, and Research Data Management (RDM) guidelines. There is also a strong push to advocate for these principles within research assessment committees and among high-level policymakers.
- Global inclusivity remains a core focus. Plans include translating the Principles into more languages and engaging with diverse knowledge systems, specifically, indigenous and local knowledge, to fight disinformation. By sharing methodologies and collecting user feedback, adopters aim to keep monitoring systems “living resources” that encourage citizen science and broad public participation.
The impact of the Principles is perhaps best captured by one of the respondents, Marita Kari (Secretariat for Open Science and Research, Finland):
“We view open science not merely as a policy direction, but as a structural transformation in how research, knowledge dissemination, research assessment, and infrastructure development are conducted. The OSMI framework provides a practical lens through which we can align our institutional strategies and roadmaps with the broader vision articulated in the UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science. Moving forward, we intend to systematically integrate open science recommendations into our strategic planning, governance frameworks, and operational roadmaps.”