Open source software (OSS) drives innovation and scientific breakthroughs, powering advancements across biotech, healthcare, climate science, finance, astronomy, and artificial intelligence. That’s why we’re asking for your support in our #OpenCode4BetterScience end-of-year fundraising campaign. Learn how your contribution sustains these transformative tools and ensures their continued impact.
Why Open Source Software is Essential
Open source scientific software is the backbone of modern research and development across academia, industry, and government. It enables researchers to work more efficiently, collaborate openly, and achieve groundbreaking results. From mapping the universe to accelerating vaccine development, scientific OSS is at the core of nearly every major scientific discovery.
Real-World Examples of OSS Innovation
- Nobel-Worthy Contributions: NumFOCUS-sponsored OSS projects like NumPy, SciPy, Matplotlib, Bokeh, and pandas supported work on protein folding, contributing to research by two of the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry laureates. [Learn more about this amazing work in this Deepmind blog post or this article in Nature.]
- Bayesian Modeling in Action: Stan, a tool for advanced statistical modeling, is used by major sports leagues such as the English Premier League and MLB to optimize performance and strategies. [Learn more about Stan at https://mc-stan.org/]
- Astronomy’s Essential Toolkit: The Astropy Project, cited in over 10,000 academic papers, equips astronomers with vital tools for exploring the cosmos. [Learn more about the Astropy Project at https://www.astropy.org/]
How Scientific OSS Delivers Outsized Impact
Scientific OSS doesn’t just fuel progress — it amplifies it, creating solutions that benefit research, industry, and society. Here’s how:
Customization: Tailored Solutions for Unique Challenges
Scientific OSS lets users adapt tools to their exact needs, enabling breakthroughs in specialized fields like biotech, astrophysics, and AI. By offering full access to the source code, scientific OSS ensures precision and relevance for every project.
Transparency: Building Trust Through Open Science
With open code, users can review, validate, and understand software functionality. This transparency enhances reliability, fosters trust, and ensures reproducibility — the bedrock of scientific integrity.
Collaboration: Innovation at Lower Costs
A global network of contributors improves scientific OSS tools continually, driving rapid innovation and reducing costs. Free from vendor lock-in, organizations of any size can leverage scientific OSS for scalable, cutting-edge solutions.
Sustaining the Future of Scientific Innovation
Scientific OSS is not “free” to maintain. It requires funding to keep projects thriving, communities engaged, and advancements coming. Your contribution directly supports tools that are critical across academia, industry, and government.
Making a Difference with Grassroots Giving
Your tax-deductible donation supports our Small Development Grants program which provided funding to address immediate needs of of over 30 scientific OSS projects this year*. These grants improve functionality, accelerate development, and grow communities, ensuring that scientific OSS remains a driving force for discovery.
Spread the word among peers and consider leveraging your organization’s unused funds to fuel open science innovation.
Corporate and Institutional Giving Opportunities
Join our 20@5K Initiative by becoming one of the first 20 organizations to pledge $5,000 by December 20. Your support includes:
- Thought Leader AI Roundtable in 2025, connecting industry leaders to shape the future of AI.
- Project Leader Discussions for deeper engagement with scientific OSS development and strategy.
Join the #OpenCode4BetterScience Movement
Every breakthrough begins with a tool — and many of the most impactful tools are open source. Scientific OSS enables discoveries in healthcare, climate science, AI, and more.
Your support ensures these tools remain accessible and innovative. Donate today, rally your colleagues, or connect us with organizational resources. Together, we can sustain the ecosystem that drives progress and opens doors to a brighter future.
Join the #OpenCode4BetterScience Movement
* All funds, except those directed to a specific project, will go toward our Small Development Grants. NumFOCUS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
