FCCN Hosts Webinar on Pathways to Sustainable Open Access

FCCN, FCT’s digital services unit, will host the webinar “The Cost of Knowledge: Pathways to Sustainable Open Access” on October 20, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., as part of International Open Access Week 2026. Participation is free, and you can register here.

Open-access scientific publishing offers new opportunities for the dissemination of knowledge, but it also raises questions about the sustainability of funding models for scientific communication. This session aims to encourage reflection on these challenges and on the paths that can contribute to a more open, sustainable, and equitable knowledge ecosystem.

As part of International Open Access Week 2026, this webinar also aims to foster further discussion on the various models of scientific publishing and the development of a more open and inclusive knowledge system.

Starting with the question of who bears the costs of scientific publication and what their value is, the webinar will address different funding models used in the context of open access. The discussion will focus on the impact of these models on the production and dissemination of scientific knowledge and on the challenges they pose for higher education institutions, research centers, funders, and researchers.

The session will also address the role of Open Science infrastructure and services provided through the FCCN, highlighting their contribution to more transparent and accessible scientific communication practices.

Another key topic will be Open Research Europe (ORE), a scientific publishing platform aligned with the principles of Open Science. During the session, the opportunities this infrastructure offers the scientific community and its contribution to greater accessibility of research results will be presented.

The webinar also includes a session for open discussion, allowing the audience to share perspectives and experiences regarding current models of scientific publishing and possible ways to ensure sustainable access to knowledge.