With support from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the Data Science Institute established an Open Source Program Office (OSPO) at UW–Madison in the fall of 2023. This office is accelerating the translation of academic research to society by providing opportunities to learn about, develop, and share open-source software, hardware, data, models, and more. Partners include Madison College, the Data Science Hub, the UW–Madison Libraries, and UW–Madison Extension.
The OSPO model emerged from industries that recognized the strategic advantages of open source. While a similar model at universities shows promise, the set of challenges encountered in academic settings is very different than in industry. The Sloan Foundation, seeing these opportunities and challenges, established a program to coordinate and support open-source activity at universities. Through their investment in campus OSPOs, the Sloan Foundation aims to offer a complementary path to traditional technology transfer that echoes the Wisconsin Idea, where public goods created at universities fuel innovation beyond the walls of the institution.
OSPO is based at the Data Science Institute. It offers opportunities and services for the UW–Madison campus, communities, businesses, and entrepreneurs. In addition, students from Madison College and UW–Madison are participating in open-source development internships, and businesses and other organizations can work with these interns to address real-world challenges.
If you are interested in learning more, visit the OSPO website.