We are thrilled to announce that registration for our 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 80) Science Summit 2025 virtual session, Financing Open Research for Global Development: Challenges and Opportunities, is now open. The event is co-hosted by the Science for Africa Foundation (SFA Foundation), the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (UK FCDO) and the International Network for Advancing Science and Policy (INASP).

In an era of mounting global challenges, from climate change to digital inequality, the need for open, inclusive, and collaborative science is more urgent than ever. Open Research, encompassing open access to publications, open data, open methodologies, and open peer review, is increasingly recognised as a global public good. It offers a powerful framework for equitable knowledge sharing and accelerated scientific progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, realising this potential requires sustainable financing mechanisms that treat open science as a global development priority, not an afterthought.
 
The session will explore how Open Research is financed – highlighting successful models as well as the challenges posed by shrinking official development assistance (ODA) budgets. We will examine ways to support openness without imposing one-size-fits-all frameworks, and how funding strategies can be aligned with national and regional development plans. Financing Open Research involves not only securing more funds, but also ensuring those funds are used in inclusive and context-specific ways.
 
A key focus will be on digital equity in research. Under-resourced researchers and institutions (especially in the global South) often lack access to essential digital infrastructure – from high-quality internet and data repositories to open access journals. The shift from pay-to-read to pay-to-publish models in academic publishing has created new barriers for many researchers, with article processing charges reaching as high as $12,000, costs that can equal years of salary for researchers in low-income settings. The session will discuss how innovative funding models and investments in digital infrastructure can help bridge this divide.
 
The speakers, representing government agencies, multilateral organisations, philanthropic funders, and research initiatives, will share diverse perspectives on building a sustainably financed open research ecosystem. We will discuss:

• The roles of funders, governments, and international bodies in advancing funding models that are both sustainable and equitable.
• Aligning Open Research with development priorities such as the SDGs and fostering better global coordination
• Concrete actions to strengthen funding for Open Research as part of a more inclusive and resilient global research system.

Session Panelists

1. Evelyn Gitau, Chief Scientific Officer, SFA Foundation
2. Allen Mukhwana, Head of Programmes, Strengthening Science Ecosystems, SFA Foundation
3. John Edmunds, Chief Scientific Adviser and Director of Research and Evidence, UK FCDO
4. Nokuthula  Mchunu, Director, International Grants and Partnerships Division, National Research Foundation, South Africa
5. Ashley Farley, Senior Officer, Knowledge and Research Services, Global Health, Gates Foundation
6. Nora Ndege, Engagement Lead and Project Manager, INASP - Session Moderator

How to Join
Click the button below to register on the UNGA 80 Science Summit event platform (you can also register for other virtual and hybrid sessions after registration). You will receive an email confirming your registration details. However, if you do not wish to register for this session, use this link to join directly when the event is live.

Register here