Abstract
Open science improves research transparency, reproducibility, and equity. This qualitative study assessed facilitators and barriers to implementing open science practices within the Brain-Heart Interconnectome (BHI), an interdisciplinary research program funded by the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) to advance prevention and treatment of brain-heart conditions (e.g., stroke and cardiac disease). The study aimed to explore perceptions and behaviours of BHI-funded investigators and teams regarding open science mandate implementation. Data were collected through virtual focus groups with 36 participants from 17 funded projects. Participants include principal investigators, research staff, trainees, and Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Holders. Focus groups were designed and analyzed using the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Barriers included limited financial and logistical resources, intellectual property and ethical concerns, and a lack of guidance and training. Facilitators included mandates from journals and funders, along with perceived improvements in research accountability and quality. Findings were mapped onto the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) using the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation – Behaviour (COM-B) model, providing a comprehensive framework for understanding behaviour change and informed implementation strategy development. These insights will be critical to effective and efficient open science uptake within BHI and are likely transferable to other biomedical and interdisciplinary research programs.