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Open-sourcing a project at CERN

Within the frame of the implementation of CERN's Open Science Policy, it was decided that developers wishing to open-source their software should contact the OSPO directly. For hardware projects, designers should get in touch with the Knowledge Transfer (KT) office first, and only after KT issues a recommendation to open-source should they get in touch with the OSPO. At the time of this writing, there is not yet an "official" entry point for gateware (HDL/FPGA/ASIC) projects. In order to play it safe while a decision is taken, if you want to open-source a gateware project, we advise you to get in touch with KT and only follow the procedure below after they have issued a recommendation to open-source.

So, you would like to open-source your project (and in the case of a hardware or gateware project, KT agree it's a good idea). Here are the next steps:

  1. Please fill in this form to give the OSPO team a better understanding of your project and send the form as attachment to open.source@cern.ch.
  2. The OSPO will provide you with guidance on CERN’s process of open-sourcing.
  3. The OSPO will advise your Group Leader who will decide on open-sourcing your project. As such, the OSPO might recommend steps to be taken before your project becomes open source.

Response Time Frame

The OSPO aims to provide information as accurately and relevant as possible. Typically, a response may take between 2-5 business days; however, this time frame may vary depending on the amount of research required for your topic or amount of open inquiries. We appreciate your patience and understanding in this regard.

Contact Confidentiality

Unless you decide to make your conversations public in the forum, we understand that any communications with the OSPO are private. We value your trust and are committed to maintaining a safe space for open and secure communication between you and our team.

Need Further Assistance?

Should you need to extend beyond what can be addressed over email, the OSPO team may offer further assistance in the form of additional resources or contact sources that may be relevant to your inquiry. Do keep in mind that the provided details are picked in accordance to the OSPO members’ expertise and knowledge. It may very well be possible to schedule a meeting for a more in-depth consultation regarding your open-sourcing journey.