What we aim to do…

• Support the development of a sustainable European Digital Information infrastructure that guarantees the permanent access to the digital records of science, whether documents or data, across all fields of research, scholarship and technology;
• Be a strategic partner for the Commission of the European Union and national governments in order to strengthen European and national strategies and policies and their implementation in the area of long-term preservation of and access to the digital records of science, thereby contributing towards Europe as an Information Society;
• Be a platform that will assist key stakeholders in the world of science and scientific information to cooperate amongst themselves and with other organisations on digital repositories for science;
• Strengthen the role of European parties in worldwide efforts to secure long-term preservation and access of the digital records of science;
• Be a global centre of excellence for digital preservation

…and how we successfully do it.

Coordinated action

Addressing these digital challenges will require new collaborations and co-ordinated action by a range of European and national organisations. Together we can establish a sustainable virtual infrastructure for permanent access to scientific information (scientific publications and research data).

Exchange of ideas and preservation techniques

To achieve a sustainable infrastructure, we are talking with each other, working together, and exchanging ideas and preservation techniques. Our members use the APA as an ideas forum, to share best practice, pass on information about new developments and to learn from each other.

Projects

Perhaps the most fruitful way of achieving our goals is through joint projects, in particular international projects funded by the EU, consistent with our jointly agreed Strategic Plan.

Important research projects inspired by the APA strategic research plans have been undertaken over the past several years. The APA is recognised as having an important role in bringing communities together, understanding requirements and developing strategic plans.  Collectively the APA represents a significant part of the research data and expenditure in research and implementation in Europe.