Open Source Program Office Receives $719K Grant for Growth

The Open Source Program Office (OSPO) at Syracuse University has secured a two-year grant of $719,330 from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. This funding aims to transition OSPO from a temporary initiative into a sustainable and permanent institution within the university.

According to Collin Capano, director of OSPO, this grant marks a significant milestone in the office’s efforts to integrate open-source development into the academic framework of Syracuse University. “Over the next two years, we’ll be working to establish sustainable funding mechanisms and integrate open-source development more deeply into our academic curriculum,” Capano stated. The goal is to ensure that OSPO continues to serve the university community well beyond the expiration of the Sloan Foundation funding.

Expanding Educational Opportunities

Founded in 2023, OSPO acts as a bridge between academic research and open-source software development. It assists faculty across various disciplines in creating, maintaining, and sharing research software. Furthermore, the office provides students with practical experience in collaborative software development. Since its inception, OSPO has supported a range of projects, impacting fields from psychology to finance.

The new grant will facilitate the expansion of OSPO’s initiatives. One of the key developments includes transforming its software development program into a dual-track system. This will consist of an academic course that allows students to earn credit while working on faculty research projects, as well as a paid internship program focused on OSPO-led initiatives. “These projects address University needs while positioning students at the forefront of emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence,” Capano explained.

Students engaged in OSPO programs gain more than just academic credits; they develop public portfolios showcasing their contributions to actual projects. This hands-on experience with industry-standard tools provides them with a competitive advantage in the job market.

Innovative Tools and Federal Compliance

OSPO has already introduced several innovative tools for the Syracuse community. One notable project is a data storage finder that assists faculty in identifying and budgeting for research data storage solutions. Current projects underway include an AI-powered research chatbot that has been trained on papers authored by Syracuse University faculty, and an AI-based preprint server alert system that monitors new publications and delivers personalized summaries based on faculty interests.

Moreover, OSPO plays a vital role in addressing a federal mandate that requires all federally funded research to be publicly accessible. Academic institutions are tasked with providing the necessary infrastructure and expertise to support open science practices.

During the grant period, OSPO staff will conduct a formal evaluation of potential institutional homes for the program. Findings from this evaluation will be documented in a comprehensive playbook designed to assist other universities in developing their open-source programs. Additionally, OSPO plans to broaden its educational offerings through a series of microcredentialed workshops that will cover research computing fundamentals and open-source development practices. These materials will be made freely accessible to students across all disciplines.

“The integration of open-source and AI development into the curriculum enhances our students’ employability while strengthening the University’s research capacity,” Capano noted. “We’re creating a model that other academic institutions can adopt and adapt for their own communities.”

In addition to Capano, OSPO co-principal investigators include Duncan Brown, vice president for research; David Seaman, dean of University Libraries; and Eric Sedore, associate vice president for information technology and chief technology officer. The initial establishment of OSPO was supported by seed funding from the Sloan Foundation, and this renewal grant will sustain the program through October 2027.