Open Scholarship Catalytic Awards Program: Fostering Transparency and Collaboration in Research

Open Scholarship Catalytic Awards Program: Fostering Transparency and Collaboration in Research 771 576 Open and Universal Science (OPUS) Project

The Open Research Community Accelerator (ORCA), with the support of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, has unveiled the Open Scholarship Catalytic Awards Program. This initiative aims to promote a culture of open scholarship, encompassing open science, research, data, and other practices that emphasize transparency, reproducibility, collaboration, and community engagement. Targeted at traditionally under-resourced U.S.-based institutions, the program seeks to foster innovative projects that enhance inclusivity and trust in research outcomes.

Driving Open Scholarship

The Catalytic Awards Program is designed to advance open scholarship through initiatives that accelerate cultural transformation, strengthen institutional capacity, and showcase innovative models for broader adoption. The program supports forward-looking projects that inspire community engagement and inclusivity. Examples of eligible projects include those that develop tools for open data sharing, implement transparent research practices, or create educational programs on open science principles.

Flexible Funding and Support

The program offers funding between $5,000 and $15,000 per project, which must be completed by December 1, 2025. Funds may cover expenses related to capacity-building, networking, and community engagement activities. Additionally, ORCA provides mentorship, project management guidance, and a community of practice model, enabling award recipients to share experiences and learn from one another.

Eligibility and Application Process

The program welcomes applications from students, postdocs, staff, and faculty members at accredited U.S.-based non-R1 and traditionally under-resourced institutions. Eligibility includes federally designated Minority Serving Institutions or institutions with below-median endowment values per student. Applicants must submit a detailed proposal through the ORCA portal, outlining objectives, expected impact, and a budget. Informational webinars on February 5 and March 3, 2025, will guide applicants through the process.

Key application dates:

  • Open Date: January 15, 2025
  • Deadline: March 15, 2025
  • Award Notification: April 15, 2025
  • Earliest Start Date: May 15, 2025
  • Latest End Date: December 1, 2025

Selection Criteria

The three-round selection process emphasizes equity and transparency:

  • Round 1: Internal review for alignment with program objectives and eligibility.
  • Round 2: External reviewers evaluate proposals based on clarity, feasibility, community impact, capacity building, and budget justification. Proposals are scored on a scale of 1 to 4, with top-scoring projects prioritized for funding.
  • Round 3: A partial lottery system ensures fairness, with priority given to top quartile projects and a lottery for the third quartile.

Policies and Requirements

Key policies include:

  • Single proposal submission per round.
  • Open licensing compliance to ensure public accessibility of project outputs.
  • Participation in monthly engagement activities to foster collaboration.
  • Final reporting on project outcomes and impact.
  • Acknowledgment of CZI and ORCA support in public outputs.

Supporting Innovation

The Open Scholarship Catalytic Awards Program underscores ORCA’s commitment to advancing open research practices and fostering a more inclusive and collaborative scientific community. By providing resources and mentorship, the program aims to empower institutions and individuals to drive innovation and trust in research.

For more information or inquiries, contact eunice@orcaopen.org.

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