D3.4 Competence Centres Strategy for Science Clusters in EOSC

This position paper sets out a practical strategy for sharing competence and support across the five OSCARS Science Clusters. It brings together competence mapping, service portfolios and composability, mentoring, AGM discussions and feedback from 70 Open Call projects. These sources describe different starting points, including different understandings of Competence Centres. The strategy treats convergence as a progressive process, built through shared work and community agreement. The proposed approach strengthens expertise already embedded in Research Infrastructures and their networks. It connects guidance, training, mentoring and implementation support where cooperation adds value. The Data Steward Registry and the CC dashboard, both under development, are key outputs for the next phase. Five recommendations and an implementation roadmap identify the decisions sought from partners, the work to be tested and the arrangements needed for continuity. A complementary RI consultation will refine priorities when its results are available; it is not a prerequisite for endorsing the strategy. Future implementation experience and RI consultation findings may inform complementary analyses and updates to the proposed approach.