Vision
Our Vision
The Open Science Collective envisions a future where research software infrastructure is sustainably funded through a collaborative non-governmental organization that brings together universities, funding agencies, and research communities worldwide.
Independent Organization Model
🏛️ Member-Driven
Universities and research institutions with OSPOs become voting members, contributing funding and participating in strategic governance decisions.
🔬 Expert Committees
Technical committees composed of domain experts ensure quality standards and best practices across all research disciplines.
🔍 Transparent Oversight
Independent auditing bodies provide accountability through regular reviews and performance assessments.
⚡ Rapid Response
Streamlined processes enable quick funding decisions and support delivery without bureaucratic delays.
Inspired by Global Standards Bodies
We model our approach after established international organizations like ISO, TIA, and IEC, but specifically designed for research software sustainability. This means:
Collegial Governance
Technical committees and auditing bodies composed of domain experts from member institutions ensure quality and accountability.
Membership Structure
Universities and OSPOs join as institutional members with voting rights and representation in governance decisions.
Standards Development
Create and maintain quality standards for research software, documentation, and sustainability practices.
International Coordination
Enable collaboration across borders while respecting local practices and requirements.
Beyond Standards Organizations
While inspired by standards bodies, the OSC serves a unique mission that goes beyond standard-setting:
💰 Fund Collection & Distribution
Systematic gathering of sustainability funding from research grants and transparent allocation to critical software projects.
🔍 Technical Oversight
Expert evaluation of software quality, maintenance practices, and continuous improvement processes.
🤝 Shared Services
Economy-of-scale benefits for security auditing, testing infrastructure, documentation, and community management.
🚀 Innovation Support
Competitive funding for breakthrough tools and methodologies that advance research capabilities.
The Future We're Building
A world where research software is not just a side project or volunteer effort, but a professionally managed, sustainably funded infrastructure that serves the global research community.
🔬 For Researchers
Reliable, well-documented tools that enable reproducible science without technical barriers.
🏛️ For Institutions
Recognition and competitive advantage through contributions to research infrastructure.
👩💻 For Software Engineers
Stable careers with professional recognition for the essential work of software maintenance.
🌍 For Science
Accelerated discovery through stable, interconnected research infrastructure.