HORIZON-ZEN Plus · Evolution and operation of EU Open Research Repository in Zenodo

The HORIZON-ZEN+ project aims to advance the EU Open Research Repository (EOR Repository) on Zenodo, a key enabler of the European Commission’s Open Science policy. Building on the success of the HORIZON-ZEN project (2023–2025), HORIZON-ZEN+ enhances the repository’s ability to support FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) and AI-ready research outputs. The project addresses two strategic challenges: enabling cost-effective, scalable data curation, and facilitating the discovery and reuse of high-quality datasets across disciplines for AI applications. To this end, the project will integrate AI-assisted curation tools, advanced metadata validation, and automated support workflows; improve deposit and discovery interfaces with support for AI-specific metadata and data packaging standards; and deepen interoperability with the EOSC EU Node and Open Research Europe platform. By embedding these enhancements directly in Zenodo and its open-source platform InvenioRDM, HORIZON-ZEN+ ensures broad uptake and long-term sustainability, strengthening Europe’s open science infrastructure and supporting researchers in meeting FAIR and AI-readiness mandates.