Collaborative research: GEO OSE track 2: strengthening open and reproducible research in the geosciences

The National Science Foundation Office of Integrative Activities awarded $397,850 to the Center For Open Science, Inc. on August 1, 2026, under the Geosciences program (CFDA 47.050) to coordinate researcher training, institutional support, and publication practices across academic institutions, libraries, and scientific publishers throughout the United States to advance open and reproducible research in the geosciences.

The project will deliver systematic outreach and training activities at academic institutions across the country covering reproducible practices including version control, software containers, and data and software sharing aligned with FAIR principles (findable, accessible, interoperable, reusable). The Center For Open Science will collaborate with librarians to establish sustained institutional support, work with publishers and journal editors to develop implementation guides advancing the Transparency and Openness Promotion Guidelines, and assess outcomes through longitudinal surveys tracking research practices, participation, and journal policy changes. The award supports training, institutional coordination, and publication practice development with no planned subawards. Performance is based in Charlottesville, Virginia, with a period of performance through July 31, 2029.

Abstract

Geoscience research supports practical needs, such as managing natural resources and responding to earth system hazards. To have broad societal value, research results must be accessible and reusable. Yet many geoscientists lack practical training and support for sharing data, software, and methods responsibly. This project will coordinate researcher training, institutional support, and publication practices across academic institutions, libraries, and scientific publishers throughout the united states. These efforts will broaden access to scientific knowledge and strengthen public trust in science. This project will coordinate researcher training, institutional support, and publication practices to produce lasting change in open science behavior for geoscientists. The project team will provide systematic outreach and training activities at a range of academic institutions across the country. Training activities will cover reproducible practices, including version control, software containers, and data and software sharing aligned with fair principles (findable, accessible, interoperable, reusable). The team will work with librarians for sustained institutional support. They will work with publishers and journal editors to develop implementation guides advancing the transparency and openness promotion guidelines. Outcomes will be assessed through longitudinal surveys tracking research practices, participation, and journal policy changes. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are not planned for this award.