In the context of the wide research environment, we introduce the CERIF (Common European Research Information Format) data model which (a) has a richer structure than the usual metadata standards used in research information; (b) separates base entities from link entities thus providing flexibility in expressing role-based temporal relationships; (c) defines a distinct semantic layer so that relationship roles in link entities and controlled value lists in base entities are separately managed and multiple vocabularies can be used and related to each other; (d) can generate the common metadata formats used in research information. CERIF is used widely and is an EU recommendation to member states. At the request of the European Commission, CERIF is maintained, developed and promoted by euroCRIS.

The opening of data is considered to provide many benefits. However, opening up data by public bodies is a complex and ill-understood activity. Although many public bodies might be willing to open up their data, they lack any systematic guidance. In this paper, guidance is provided by investigating the publishing processes at the Dutch Research and Documentation Centre (WODC), which owns governmental judicial research data. We developed guidance by providing 1) a list of issues that play a role in deciding whether to open data, 2) an alternative to completely publishing data (i.e. restricted access) and 3) solutions for overcoming some of the issues. The latter include dealing with privacy-sensitive data, deletion policies, publishing after embargo periods instead of not publishing at all, adding related documents and adding information about the quality and completeness of datasets. The institutional context should be taken into account when using the guidance, as opening data requires considerable changes of organizations.

Virtual Research Environments (VREs) are playing an increasingly important role in data centric sciences. Also, the concept is known as Science Gateways in North America where generally the functionality is portal plus workflow deployment and Virtual Laboratories in Australia where the end-user can compose a complete system from the user interface to use of e-Infrastructures by a ‘pick and mix’ process from the offered assets. The key aspect is to provide an environment wherein the end-user - researcher, policymaker, commercial enterprise or citizen scientist - has available with an integrating interface all the assets needed to achieve their objectives. These aspects are explored through different approaches related to ENVRI.