Helmholtz Open Science Forum: Open Science in a Changing Geopolitical Context

Background

In an era of geopolitical tensions and shifting global alliances, open science seems to be standing at a crossroads. While the principle of "as open as possible, as closed as necessary" remains foundational for collaborative international research, its implementation in 2026 demands additional considerations in the context of “as open as possible, as secure as necessary”.

While careful scrutiny of the boundaries of openness is essential where research could be misused to threaten security, public safety, and health, open science remains a vital catalyst – fostering the transparent exchange that accelerates research and innovation and ensures that the solutions to our most pressing challenges are developed collaboratively and for the benefit of all.

This Helmholtz Open Science Forum explores how robust open science practices and developing security measures can go hand-in-hand to strengthen strategic autonomy and create high-quality, reproducible, and trustworthy data environments. 

The forum will feature several presentations showcasing how collaboration can be facilitated through organizational practices or technical solutions. A plenary discussion will follow, offering participants the chance to engage directly. Employees of the Helmholtz Association are invited to submit questions in advance to deepen the exchange and contribute to this important internal dialogue.