Open-source science refers to the transparent, accessible, and collaborative pursuit of knowledge through study

The term 'open source' is one that we have borrowed from a software development practice where the 'source code' for an application is provided in a readable (unencrypted) form to all users.

This practice enables a large network of distributed users to fix any errors which may exist in the application, to further improve upon it, and to share the improved application with other users who will then do the same.  Ultimately, this practice - and the community of users who adopt it - will enable the application to develop and evolve far faster, and more efficiently, than it otherwise might if it were created and developed entirely by a single individual or team working within a closed laboratory.

By adapting and applying this term to scientific research, we hope to accelerate the pace of academic innovation and discovery by encouraging academic researchers - especially those engaged in 'basic research' - to embrace similar practices.

To do so, we have developed a unique model for research funding, peer review, and publication that encourages researchers to openly broadcast their ideas and methods to their peers, and to collaborate with researchers outside their immediate fields of study as they work to address the research questions they seek to understand.