Scientific policy

The FNRS is committed to promoting ethical, transparent and high-quality research in Belgium. Here are its main commitments in terms of science policy: 

  1. Research evaluation : The FNRS is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which promotes assessment practices based on scientific content rather than publication indicators. The FNRS also signed the agreement on the reform of the research evaluation system, aiming to maximize the quality and impact of research in Europe.
  2. Open Science : The FNRS supports Open Access, allowing open and free access to the results of research financed by public funds. Regulations and guides are available to help researchers comply with this policy.
  3. Ethics and transparency : The FNRS adheres to strict ethical codes and encourages transparency in research, particularly in matters of animal experimentation. It signed the Transparency Agreement with the universities of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation to inform the public about the practices and regulations in force.
  4. Scientific integrity : The FNRS is committed to maintaining integrity in research by adhering to the European Charter for Researchers and the Recruitment Code of Conduct. A Higher Committee for Scientific Integrity (CSIS) is in place to supervise these commitments.
  5. Data Management Plan : The FNRS promotes the responsible management of research data through data management plans (DMP), thus guaranteeing the quality, security and reuse of data. Furthermore, the Fund ensures the protection of data transmitted to the various stakeholders in its procedures (such as experts), in particular through the conclusion of agreements relating to their confidentiality and protection.
  6. Gender and inclusion : The FNRS pays particular attention to gender equality with annual reports, collective actions and regulatory measures to guarantee equal opportunities and protection against harassment and gender-related violence.
  7. Animal experimentation : The FNRS has signed the Transparency Agreement on animal experimentation. The objective of this agreement is to communicate in the most educational and transparent manner possible, so that the Belgian public receives precise and up-to-date information on the implications of animal research, in particular the way in which this research is regulated in Belgium, the role it plays in the overall process of scientific discovery or the measures taken to reduce the use of animals and minimize suffering and harmful effects on research animals.

These commitments illustrate the FNRS's desire to support responsible, open and inclusive research, thus contributing to scientific progress and society.