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About NORF

Ireland’s National Open Research Forum (NORF) was established in 2017 to drive the Irish agenda for Open Research. NORF provides a space for communication, consultation and cooperation among key stakeholders in the research system regarding strategic issues and overarching policies and procedures in open research. The Forum combines the expertise of representatives from policy, research funding organisations, research performing organisations, the library sector, enterprise and other key stakeholders in the research system across Ireland.

NORF is funded by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research and Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) through the Higher Education Authority (HEA). It is managed by the Digital Repository of Ireland (DRI), which is headquartered under the legal entity of the Royal Irish Academy. It is co-chaired by the Health Research Board (HRB) and the HEA.

There are two main strands of NORF’s role:

  • To develop and propose national actions to address the challenges of changing the Irish research system to strengthen, promote or better support open research practices as outlined in the National Framework on the Transition to an Open Research Environment (2019) and the National Action Plan for Open Research 2022-2030. Periodic reviews of the National Action Plan will be conducted to review progress made and release updates with further actions.
  • To oversee and guide implementation of the National Action Plan for Open Research 2022-2030 within the context of Impact 2030: Ireland’s Research and Innovation Strategy. NORF’s Open Research Fund, provided by DFHERIS through the HEA, supports the delivery of priority actions in the National Action Plan. This fund is managed by the DRI and is distributed through an onward allocation process overseen by NORF.

NORF carries out a number of activities in order to fulfil its role. These include:

  • Engaging with stakeholders and the public on open research and related issues through its governance structure, discourses, training and events.
  • Helping to inform and advise policy making in Ireland and internationally.
  • Advocating for open research and its impacts and benefits for the national research system.
  • Supporting projects in receipt of NORF funding to deliver actions in the National Action Plan for Open Research 2022-2030.
  • Awarding grants and commissioning expert reports for specific purposes to advance and accelerate Ireland’s progress in open research.

DRI and NORF

DRI has been the coordinating organisation for NORF since 2019. NORF’s work includes developing and supporting actions to strengthen, promote and better support national objectives. Since 2022, NORF and DRI (as the coordinating organisation for NORF) have operated and administered the NORF Open Research Fund provided through the HEA.

The 2022 Open Research Fund has been distributed to key initiatives in Ireland’s transition towards Open Research identified by NORF and was designed to implement six priority actions from the National Action Plan.

The Open Research Fund 2023 supports the continued work of NORF and is divided into two Strands. The call for Strand I, the Priority Actions Call 2023, targeted a set of five actions identified in the National Action Plan. Strand II, the Open Research Stimulus Call 2023, was an open call for projects that align with the National Action Plan.

Dr Daniel Bangert was the National Open Research Coordinator (NORC) from 2020 until late 2023 and represented Ireland on several international open science groups, including the Council for National Open Science Coordination and the Informal Commission Expert Group on National Points of Reference on Scientific Information. Dr Lisa Griffith, DRI Director is currently supporting the role and is also a member of the NORF Core Oversight Group and the NORF Grants Oversight Committee. Dr Michelle Doran the newly appointed NORC takes up the position on 1 July 2024. Dr Aislinn Conway is Project Manager at NORF.

Contact Details

If you would like to find out more about the National Open Research Forum, or explore opportunities to become involved, please contact norf@ria.ie

The National Open Research Forum is a Government of Ireland initiative, funded by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, through the Higher Education Authority

DRI is funded by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) via the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and the Irish Research Council (IRC).

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