Implementing an Open Science Policy at EMBL

Open Science has been a core principle of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) since its founding in 1974, underpinning decades of leadership in open data infrastructure. Building on this legacy, EMBL developed and implemented its first Open Science Policy in 2021, to ensure that all research outputs are shared openly, transparently, and in line with FAIR principles. This paper describes the consultative process used to develop the policy and the organisational structures established to support adoption, notably the creation of the Office for Scientific Information Management (OSIM).This paper presents EMBL’s multifaceted implementation strategy, which embedded open science requirements into publication workflows, provided targeted training and support, and leveraged existing institutional infrastructure and partnerships. Using evidence-based monitoring, we report trends from the first three years of implementation, showing high and increasing uptake of preprints, open access publishing under CC BY licenses, open data, open-source software, and ORCID adoption, alongside slower progress in data management plan uptake. The results highlight both the effectiveness of coordinated institutional support and the persistent challenges of adopting open science practices. By sharing lessons learned, monitoring approaches, and areas for future development, this case study offers practical insights for research organisations seeking to translate open science policy into sustained cultural and operational change.