CZI
Essential Open Source Software for Science
This call closed on October 17, 2023. Current date is 2026-03-22, well past the deadline.
Last verified:
Essential Open Source Software for Science funds projects that develop, maintain, or enhance critical open-source tools used by the scientific community, with awards of $100,000-$400,000 USD over two years. The call is open to developers, researchers, and teams building or stewarding software that serves broad scientific needs. This is a recurring programme run jointly by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Wellcome Trust, and The Kavli Foundation.
Details
| Funder | CZI |
| Budget | $100,000–$400,000 USD |
| Duration | 2 years |
| Consortium | No |
| Application | 2-stage: Letter of Intent → Full Application |
| Frequency | Recurring |
Who Should Apply
- •Software developers and research software engineers maintaining tools used across disciplines
- •Researchers leading collaborative teams building widely-adopted open-source solutions
- •Projects addressing bottlenecks in scientific computation, data analysis, or visualization
- •Applicants with demonstrated user base or community adoption of their software
Key Dates
- •This call closed on 17 October 2023; future deadlines will be announced on the funder websites
- •Two-stage process: Letter of Intent followed by Full Application
- •Two-year project duration
Tips for Applicants
- ✓Quantify the user base and scientific impact of your software, funders want evidence of real-world adoption, not potential.
- ✓Address sustainability explicitly: explain how the software will be maintained after the funding period ends.
- ✓Letters of intent that propose incremental feature work score lower than proposals that tackle fundamental maintenance, interoperability, or accessibility challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Essential Open Source Software for Science grant pay?
Awards range from $100,000 to $400,000 USD per project over two years.
Who can apply for Essential Open Source Software for Science funding?
Software developers, research engineers, and research teams building or maintaining open-source tools used by the scientific community are eligible.
Is Essential Open Source Software for Science a recurring call?
Yes, the programme is recurring and run jointly by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Wellcome Trust, and The Kavli Foundation; check their websites for the next deadline.
What types of software projects are funded?
Projects that develop, maintain, or enhance critical open-source tools serving broad scientific needs, such as data analysis, visualization, computation, or infrastructure, are prioritised.
Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.
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