[IRTalk] The call for SCOSS Expression of Interest 2026 is now open. *** Invitation to Open Science Infrastructure and services

Thu Nov 20 09:28:30 SAST 2025

Dear all,

Apologies if you are aware of this call for funding already. For those not aware:

https://scoss.org/how-it-works/scoss-expression-of-interest-2026/

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Having raised over €7.4 million to sustain vital, non-commercial infrastructure and services within the Open Science community; the Global Sustainability Coalition for Open Science Services (SCOSS) is searching for new potential candidate organisations to fund during the 2026 to 2028 SCOSS funding cycle. We welcome applications from across the world: particularly from Asia and Africa, although all regions are invited to apply.
In short, this is how the initiative works: SCOSS provides the framework and funding structure, vetting potential candidates based on a defined set of criteria. The most eligible of those that pass the vigorous evaluation are then presented to the global
Open Access/Open Science community of stakeholders with an appeal for monetary support in a crowdfunding-style approach.
The kinds of costs in scope for SCOSS include supporting operational expenses to make the infrastructure technically or financially more sustainable.
The SCOSS Board is seeking potential candidates for preliminary assessment.
At minimum, each candidate infrastructure must meet the following four basic qualifications:

  1.  The infrastructure is established and has been operational for at least two years, and can demonstrate its sustainability challenge.
  2.  Have a non-profit status in the country in which they are based and/or be affiliated with or owned by a research or educational institution.
  3.  Services provided must be of multi-national or international relevance and
  4.  Be broadly relevant to more than one research discipline.

It is important that each of these elements is clearly addressed in the EOI.
THEMES IN SCOPE
Applications should identify how their services or infrastructure support one or more of the SCOSS Board prioritised themes for 2026:

  1.  Diamond Open Access services and infrastructure
  2.  Other Open publishing services, tools and platforms
  3.  Open research data infrastructure and services
  4.  Open Research information services
  5.  International networks that focus on standard-setting, including identifiers and others

At the same time, SCOSS remains open to receiving applications coming from other types of services that address other themes outlined in the SCOSS strategic plan<https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15022691>.
EOI APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Candidate organisations which are interested in seeking SCOSS funding are invited to complete the initial Expression of Interest (EOI) Form<https://forms.gle/yTgm5UmCSCFzGmM78>. Organisations that were unsuccessful in a previous round are invited to resubmit as appropriate.
Organisations can learn more about the process and benefits by contacting info at scoss.org<mailto:info at scoss.org> to arrange a time to discuss their questions and application ideas prior to submission.
We will consider applications in other languages than English. Please get in touch with SCOSS to clarify.
To be considered, all EOIs must be submitted by Thursday, 15 January 2026 at 17:00 CET.
GUIDANCE
We advise that you respond to all sections succinctly while at the same time clearly articulating your case since the space you have to do so is limited.
SCOSS will evaluate all submissions and a small selection of applications which best meet the SCOSS basic qualifications and themes while making a clear, strong case for community support will be invited to move to the next stage to complete a more comprehensive application form, which includes an agreed work plan, in 2026.
No more than four shortlisted applications per cycle will be invited to enter into confidential contractual negotiations with SPARC Europe. During this process, applicant organisations will be expected to share selected governance documentation as part of the risk assurance and contract process.
Once contracts have been finalised, SCOSS will publicly announce the supported infrastructure for the pledging cycle and for three years.
SCOSS has produced an FAQ: https://scoss.org/eoi-faqs/ to help organisations with the EOI application process.
NOTE: All data shared here will be handled confidentially and according to SPARC Europe's Privacy Policy: https://sparceurope.org/privacy-policy
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Thank you for your interest and support in this effort to secure our vital Open Science infrastructure.
For more background on SCOSS visit http://www.scoss.org<http://www.scoss.org/> or email info at scoss.org<mailto:info at scoss.org>

With kind regards,
Ina

Ina Smith (her/she)

SciELO SA Planning Manager | Scholarly Publishing Programme
Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)

[cid:e5fe2733-6077-4b57-840a-faec5cfc30d9]

Senior Ambassador for Africa
Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ)

[https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/mail-sig/AIorK4xbjCrv5gVyyl84VvHNx8ocgrBYSBjggNNyva45_YzaCvj6fTvWD7f3cVI7JDH06vkvS21npNmjTLlc]
DOAJ & Diamond: 22 years<https://blog.doaj.org/2025/04/15/doaj-and-diamond-our-focus-for-2025/>
ASSAf Switchboard: +27 12 349 6600
Whatsapp: +27(0)82 818 0117
Email: ina at assaf.org.za<mailto:ina at assaf.org.za> and ina at doaj.org<mailto:ina at doaj.org>

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Meiring Naudé Road, Lynnwood 0020, Pretoria, South Africa
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DOAJ Website: https://doaj.org/

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