Why this call matters

The AI in Science Working Groups (AISWGs), organised by the SCIANCE project, are now open for participation. Open to researchers, technologists, policymakers and industry practitioners, these ten thematic groups will collectively design the European Strategic Research & Innovation Agenda (SRIA) for AI in Science, and will validate and align it through community consultation. The call closes on 10 April 2026.

The AISWGs bring together experts from both scientific domains : Astronomy and Fundamental Physics, Materials Science, Life Sciences, Earth Sciences, and Social Sciences and Humanities and cross cutting AI topics. These include AI Research and Experimental Design, Data Science and Advanced Analytics, Open Science and Trustworthy AI, AI and Computing Infrastructures, Industry, Innovation and Frugal AI. The Open Science & Trustworthy AI group will focus on transparency, reproducibility, legal and ethical frameworks (e.g. the AI Act and GDPR), data sharing agreements and research integrity.

Reasons to participate

• Influence research and innovation priorities – help shape Europe’s agenda for AI in science.
• Engage in interdisciplinary workshops and co creation – collaborate across domains and sectors.
• Contribute to consensus driven outputs – co develop a community owned SRIA.
• Share and leverage your knowledge and data – benefit from cross fertilisation of ideas and methods.
• Disseminate results within your networks – amplify the impact of the SRIA.

What is expected

Members are expected to attend two online meetings per year and one in person workshop, with occasional asynchronous consultations and document reviews. Applications should be submitted via the Sciance Working Groups information page by 10 April 2026. Nominations of colleagues are also welcome via info@sciance.eu.

Context: Open science and AI regulation

Open Science is more than a policy checklist, it is now the organising principle of European research. The EU seeks to build a research system that is efficient, transparent and responsive by embedding openness at every stage of the process. That means encouraging practices such as pre registration and registered reports, posting preprints, depositing data in shared repositories, and collaborating openly. Immediate open access to publications, datasets, algorithms and software, coupled with responsible management of outputs, ensures that results can be verified and reused by anyone. To support this new era, the Commission is coupling OS practices with incentives, a supportive legal framework and major infrastructures, including the European Open Science Cloud and Open Research Europe.

Alongside this cultural shift, the EU’s AI Act - adopted in 2024 - introduces the world’s first comprehensive legal framework for AI. The Act embraces a risk based approach, banning AI practices deemed unacceptable, such as manipulative systems, exploitative profiling and social scoring. High risk applications in infrastructure, education, employment and law enforcement must meet strict obligations for risk assessment, data quality, traceability, documentation and human oversight. These rules will be phased in through 2026 and 2027, with core provisions already in force.

As part of the European effort to strengthen AI in Science, the RAISE initiative (Research AI for Science in Europe) is emerging as a key initiative to coordinate activities, shape priorities, and align stakeholders across disciplines, infrastructures, and policy domains.

The Open Science & Trustworthy AI working group will help steer AI research through this transformative moment: promoting transparency and reproducibility, aligning AI development with the FAIR principles (findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable), and ensuring compliance with emerging legal and ethical obligations.

By joining, you can contribute ensure that AI in science remains open, ethical and trustworthy, truly reflective of Europe’s commitment to a fair, collaborative scientific ecosystem.

Footnotes

1. European Commission. Open Science Policy. European Commission – Research and Innovation.https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/strategy/strategy-research-and-innovation/our-digital-future/open-science_en
2. European Union. Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 – Artificial Intelligence Act. Official legal framework establishing harmonised rules on artificial intelligence.https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1689/oj
3. European Commission. AI Act – Risk-based regulatory framework and prohibited AI practices. Shaping Europe’s Digital Future.https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/regulatory-framework-ai