The Initial Stage of the project “Advanced Materials Open Science Centre at the Precarpathian National University” (led by Volodymyr Kotsiubynskyi) has been completed. The project is funded under HORIZON-INFRA-2023-EOSC-01-01 (2024–2026). The main outcomes include the establishment of PNU-OpenLab (https://open-lab.pnu.edu.ua/) as part of PNU’s research ecosystem, as well as the creation of the PNU-DataSet repository (https://dataset.pnu.edu.ua/), serving as a platform for accessing open data generated at Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University. Notably, the repository has a multidisciplinary nature and will be accessible not only to the university’s staff.

As of today, the technical work related to testing the software that will integrate the repository into the CrossRef system (https://www.crossref.org/) — the DOI provider for the repository’s resources — is nearing completion. During the Initial Stage, the project team conducted an analysis of the current state of open science practices within the OSCARS scientific cluster community, in accordance with Ukraine’s National Open Science Plan, adopted by the Ukrainian government (https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/892-2022-%D1%80#Text). At the national level, the team is actively involved in adapting EU Open Science standards (https://openscience.eu/) to scientific and educational practices in Ukraine. Notably, they are contributing to the development of the professional standard “Research Data Management Specialist” in alignment with the European Skills, Competences, Qualifications and Occupations framework (https://esco.ec.europa.eu/uk).

Another task successfully completed by the team during the project’s Initial Stage was the development and adaptation of an open access procedure for scientific facilities at PNU-NanoLab for Ukrainian researchers (https://nano-lab.pnu.edu.ua/en/tsentr-kolektyvnoho-korystuvannia-nau/). Testing has also begun on the implementation of data access protocols in accordance with EOSC requirements.

Much has been accomplished, but this is only the preparation for the Main Stage of the project, which will begin in April 2025.

On March 3-4, the OSCARS meeting took place in an F2F (face-to-face) format to ensure the most effective interaction among all participants. The project “Advanced Materials Open Science Centre at the Precarpathian National University” was represented at the event by professor Volodymyra Boychuk.

The event began with a brief overview of the results from the first year of activities within the OSCARS work packages (WP 1-4) and the next steps planned for 2025.

A total of 54 projects, funded as a result of the first OSCARS call, were presented in a flash-talk format. The distribution of projects into sessions was based on their main objectives and covered the following topics: repositories, data and data types, software, artificial intelligence and tools, promotion of open science, and community building beyond clusters.

The primary focus of the event was on interactive discussions in the World Café format. Participants worked on finding joint solutions to key challenges, and the outcomes of the discussions were summarized in concise reports. Additionally, members of the EOSC EU Node project shared their results and invited all attendees to collaborate.

The meeting became a significant milestone in the development of OSCARS, establishing a platform for effective cooperation, experience exchange, and joint decision-making to further advance Open Science.

On this special day, let’s celebrate the brilliance, resilience, and achievements of women and girls in science.

Throughout history, women have made groundbreaking discoveriesтand paved the way for future generations. Today, we honor their contributions and encourage young minds to dream big, stay curious, and never stop questioning the world around them.

On 15 January 2025, a large-scale online event took place (with approximately 500 participants) – the presentation of the 2nd OSCARS Open Call for Open Science projects, announced as part of the activities of the OSCARS (Open-Science Clusters’ Action for Research and Society) collaboration.

The collaboration includes leading European research infrastructures, grouped into thematic clusters by fields: Humanities and Social Sciences, Life Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Photon and Neutron Science, Astronomy, Nuclear and Particle Physics (https://science-clusters.eu/).

In total, 58 projects received funding in the first round of the call, selected from 264 proposals submitted by 607 organisations. The event featured six speakers, all leaders of winning projects, including Volodymyr Kotsiubynskyi, who presented the project “Advanced Materials Open Science Centre at the Precarpathian National University (PNU-OpenLab)”, implemented by a team from the Precarpathian National University (https://oscars-project.eu/projects/pnu-openlab-advanced-materials-open-science-centre-precarpathian-national-university).

The entry of the Ukrainian team into the Science Clusters, which are an integral part of the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC), is an important step towards the integration of Ukrainian scientists into the European research area. 

On 13 January 2025, the Advanced Materials Open Science Centre at the Precarpathian National University (PNU-OpenLab) was founded. The main goal of the Centre is to consolidate the research activities of Ukrainian scientists from universities in Western Ukraine and research institutes of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in the field of obtaining, characterizing, and implementing advanced materials and nanomaterials according to the principles of Open Science.

The foundation of the Centre is part of the implementation of the project “Advanced Materials Open Science Centre at the Precarpathian National University” (Principal Investigator is Volodymyr Kotsiubynskyi), funded under HORIZON-INFRA-2023-EOSC-01-01 (2024-2026). The project outcomes will include the creation of a university repository for multidisciplinary open data, the organization of open access to the research infrastructure of the Department of Applied Physics and Materials Science, certification of the PNU-NanoLab, expanded cooperation with industrial enterprises, installation of an autonomous energy supply system at the university, and for the creation of a regional node of the CERIC-ERIC system. The main idea behind PNU-OpenLab is to facilitate the integration of Ukrainian scientists into the European research space.

https://oscars-project.eu/projects/pnu-openlab-advanced-materials-open-science-centre-precarpathian-national-university  

May 2025 be the year of Victory, peace, and prosperity for each of us and the whole of Ukraine.

Let the New Year bring warmth to your homes, joy to your hearts, and inspiration for new achievements.

The year now ending has shown that our strength lies in unity, courage, and love for our homeland. We continue to fight for the future, believing in ourselves and in the Armed Forces of Ukraine!

The OSCARS project team has summarized the initial outcomes of task implementation. One of the key initial stages was the development of a documentary foundation for establishing PNU-OpenLab as part of the research ecosystem of Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University. Regulatory documentation has been developed to define the internal structure of the Center, as well as the rights and responsibilities of its employees.

An analysis of the current state of open science practices within scientific clusters has begun, by the National Plan for the Development of Open Science approved by the Government of Ukraine. Particular attention is given to the challenges in materials science and advanced materials.

In this festive season, we celebrate the power of unity, the light of hope, and the spirit of resilience. May the warmth of Christmas fill your hearts with joy, and may victory and peace lead us all into the New Year.

Thank you to the Armed Forces of Ukraine for a new Christmas. Together we will win.

With gratitude and hope,
the team of the PNU-Openlab