Open research software is central to transparent and reproducible science: only when both research data and program code are freely accessible can results be verified, reproduced, and reused. The Helmholtz Open Science Policy serves as the institutional framework to set shared standards and grant software the visibility and recognition it deserves within the Helmholtz Association. This presentation explores how initiatives like the Helmholtz Software Award, the Research Software Directory, and the Helmholtz Quality Indicators for Data and Software Products translate this policy into practice, ensuring the professionalization of research software as a research contribution and a visible pillar of scientific excellence.
Antonia Schrader (Wed,) studied this question.