Empowering Scientists Through Accessible Python with pyOpenSci
Since 2018, pyOpenSci has evolved into a vibrant and inclusive community of over 380 contributors—from beginners to seasoned Python experts—collaborating to enhance the accessibility of scientific Python for everyone, everywhere.
What we've accomplished:
- Our peer review program has accepted 60 packages through rigorous community-led review, supporting over 120 maintainers in building better, more reliable scientific software
- 29 volunteer editors and 116 reviewers maintain quality standards across the ecosystem, ensuring every package meets the scientific community's needs
- We've collaboratively developed 40+ lessons and tutorials—including our comprehensive Python Package Guide—all tested through multi-stage community review to ensure accessibility and accuracy
- 380 contributors drive our mission forward by building infrastructure, translating resources, developing documentation, and creating the tools scientists depend on
- Community engagement grew 67% year-over-year as we expanded spaces where experts and beginners learn together through sprints, workshops, and mentorship
Our Core Activities
Open Peer Review of Scientific Software
We help scientists improve their tools through a supportive, community-led review process. Packages that complete review become part of our vetted ecosystem, making them easier for researchers everywhere to discover and trust. Maintainers can also get their software published in academic journals through our partnerships, ensuring their work receives the recognition it deserves.
Education and Training
We make technical challenges easier to navigate. Our community—from beginners to expert maintainers—creates resources that are both accurate and accessible: free guides, open lessons, and training programs that help scientists spend less time struggling with code. Through scholarships and sponsored seats, we ensure these opportunities reach researchers who need them most.
Why Your Contribution is Crucial Today
The year 2025 has presented unparalleled challenges. Many organizations had to forgo million-dollar funding due to shifting federal goals. The rise of generative AI is placing an immense burden on volunteer maintainers. The open scientific infrastructure essential to researchers needs sustained support.
Our community has taken the initiative to secure sustainability beyond grants—but we need your assistance.
Your Support and Its Impact
Direct Funding for Volunteer Leaders:
- $400 helps fund a 6-month stipend for an Editor-in-Chief overseeing our peer review operations
- $500 helps fund a 6-month stipend for a Peer Review Lead who oversees peer review policy, manages editors and reviews, and onboards new volunteer members to our team
Training Scholarships:
- $200 helps provide a scholarship seat in our Spring 2026 cohort course on Python packaging
- $500 helps send an early-career researcher to vital open science training
- $1,000 helps fund multiple scientists to participate in conference workshops
Infrastructure and Operations:
- $50/month helps maintain our packaging guide and educational resources
- $100/month helps support the ongoing success of our peer review operations
- $250/month helps cover costs for community events (sprints, workshops, mentorship programs)
- $500/month helps support infrastructure costs to maintain our packaging guide and automated tools
Every donation—whether a one-time gift or a recurring contribution—directly empowers the individuals and structures propelling open science forward.
pyOpenSci is proudly fiscally sponsored by Community Initiatives.
Checks may be mailed to:
Community Initiatives (pyOpenSci)
PO Box 45515
San Francisco, CA 94145-0515
