UALG OPEN DATA CENTRE (UALG-ODC): ADVANCES, CHALLENGES, AND SIGNS FROM THE COMMUNITY

Open Science is increasingly considered as a crucial step to foster transparency, collaboration and the impact of scientific research. Within the framework of the National Programme for Open Science and Open Research Data (PNCADAI), funded by the Portuguese Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), the University of Algarve has launched the UAlg Open Data Centre (UAlg-ODC). UAlg-ODC aims to foster a comprehensive institutional approach to Open Science and research data management. Its objectives are to establish an institutional policy on Open Science; build internal capacity through the recruitment and training of data stewards and IT staff; strengthen national and international collaboration in data stewardship; promote the adoption of FAIR and open data practices across all research domains, ensuring the availability of high-quality datasets; and engage both internal stakeholders and external audiences through effective dissemination and outreach activities. Since the project start in January 2025, several important outcomes have already been achieved. A dedicated working group was established, the first data steward has been hired and trained, and a preliminary draft of the institutional policy is under development. Meetings with key stakeholders across faculties and research units are being planned. To better understand community practices and perceptions regarding research data management, a survey was launched among faculty, researchers, and students. Although the response rate was low, this finding is valuable as it highlights the limited awareness, fragmented practices, and weak institutional culture of Open Science at UAlg. These findings underscore the importance of strengthening communication, training, and support mechanisms for researchers. We propose to present the progress and lessons learned during the first months of the UAlg-ODC, balancing achievements and challenges. We argue that even the apparent obstacles, such as limited participation in the survey, provide valuable insight into the cultural and structural barriers that must be addressed. By sharing this experience, we hope to contribute to the broader discussion on how to build and maintain institutional capacity for Open Science and accelerate the adoption of FAIR data practices within academia.