The University of Belgrade, Faculty of Chemistry (UNIBE), is one of nine pilot projects in the GraspOS, has developed and implemented an evaluation mechanism to promote and monitor Open Science practices. Building upon the Authors–Projects–Publications (APP) tool, well established within UNIBE’s research ecosystem, we introduced major upgrades aimed at tracking openness at various levels such as researchers, departments, projects and research outputs. This included technical enhancements to support data analysis and visualization through integration with tools and sources like BIP!Ranker, OpenAIRE Graph and OpenCitations.
To support a culture of recognition and reward, we designed and implemented a badge-based system highlighting green open access practices, participation in Open Science training, and department-level engagement. This system, now visible in the APP interface, includes three badge models and encourages both individual and institutional contributions to Open Science. In parallel, OpenCitations data was integrated into the Cherry repository and APP to improve transparency and depth of citation analysis.
The pilot fully achieved key performance indicators (KPIs), including the development of a reward system prototype, integration of three badge models, engagement of more than 50 researchers, enrollment of six departments, and delivery of multiple workshops and a Community of Practice session. Progress was also made toward aligning institutional policy with national Open Science frameworks. These efforts directly contribute to broader changes in research assessment, shifting the focus from traditional metrics to more qualitative, open, and responsible indicators of scholarly activity.
The APP platform serves as a central tool for managing and evaluating research activities at UNIBE. It enables normalization and searching of author names and project funding data, while also organizing records into collections and thematic groups. APP displays citation counts from indexed databases such as Dimensions, Scopus, and Web of Science, and includes insights from alternative metrics. Designed for transparency and ease of access, the platform is publicly available to all users without the need for registration or login. Because it is openly accessible, research can be shared more widely and evaluated more effectively across different fields.
Supported by the GraspOS project, UNIBE benefited from access to technical expertise, resources, and a collaborative EU-wide network. Participation in work packages and community events enhanced the pilot’s visibility and facilitated cross-institutional cooperation. GraspOS provided an evaluation framework that helped UNIBE move toward a more inclusive, transparent, and sustainable model for Open Science monitoring and responsible research assessment.
As a software engineer passionate about artificial intelligence and machine learning—especially in scholarly communication— Vladimir Otasevic develops innovative tools and applications for the scientific community, guided by the principle "to be open as possible, closed as necessary." At the University of Belgrade Computer Center (RCUB), he works on implementing and maintaining institutional repositories and standalone tools that support academic research, while actively contributing to national and international Open Science initiatives. As a PhD student, Vladimir is committed to continuous learning and skill development, aiming to make science more accessible and widely promoted.
