Sustainable Funding for Academic Open Science
The OpenScience Collective
Academic research depends on open-source tools, yet the sustainability of this critical infrastructure remains precarious.
The Crisis
Research software is breaking. Critical tools that millions of researchers depend on operate without sustainable funding. The loss of just 1-2 key maintainers could collapse entire research ecosystems.
🔧 Maintenance Crisis
Essential research tools rely on volunteer labor and short-term grants
💸 Funding Mismatch
Grants fund new features but not the boring (yet critical) maintenance work
🚨 System Failure
When maintainers burn out, entire research workflows can break overnight
Our Solution
Just 0.1% of grant funding can solve this crisis through systematic, sustainable funding:
💰 Small Contribution, Big Impact
Research grants contribute ~0.1% of direct costs to a shared sustainability fund
📊 Smart Distribution
Transparent metrics ensure funding reaches the tools researchers actually use
🔧 Maintenance First
Stable funding for the unglamorous but essential work of keeping software running
Our mission: Create sustainable funding for the research software that powers modern science.
Why This Matters
Science builds on previous work. When research software fails, it breaks the chain of knowledge that enables scientific progress. We’re creating a systematic solution that ensures the digital tools of science remain reliable for future generations.
Join the Movement
Whether you're a researcher, university administrator, or funding agency—help us fix research software sustainability.