Our Vision

The Open Science Collective envisions a future where research software infrastructure is sustainably funded through a collaborative organization that brings together universities, funding agencies, and research communities worldwide.

The Transformation

Before and after: From fragmented, unsustainable funding to connected, sustainable ecosystem with OSC

Research software today faces a crisis: grants end, maintainers burn out, critical tools get abandoned. OSC creates the connective tissue that transforms isolated efforts into a sustainable ecosystem.

The Ecosystem

The OSC Ecosystem showing stakeholders connected through central hub

At the center, OSC coordinates funding, standards, and quality assurance. Around it, all stakeholders, including universities, funders, maintainers, and researchers, connect and benefit.

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:

Collegial Governance

Technical committees and auditing bodies composed of domain experts ensure quality and accountability.

Membership Structure

Universities and OSPOs join as institutional members with voting rights in governance decisions.

Standards Development

Create and maintain quality standards for research software, documentation, and sustainability practices.

The Future We’re Building

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 Maintainers

Stable careers with professional recognition for essential software maintenance work.

For Science

Accelerated discovery through stable, interconnected research infrastructure.