The European Commission adopted on 14 March 2018 the Implementation Roadmap for the European Science Cloud. The background: the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) projected to be implemented by 2020, will create a virtual space for all researchers to share and store data for research and innovation, helping to encourage open science in Europe. The latest document presents ‘the outcome of the exploration of appropriate governance and financing mechanisms for the European Open Science Cloud’ as well as describing ‘the measures taken under Horizon 2020 Work Programmes to start implementing the EOSC’. The document’s purpose is moreover to act as a further stepping stone for consultations with EU Member States, the European Parliament and relevant stakeholders.