OSPARK Bootcamp - Promote your Open Science Passion!
Are you involved in an Open Science initiative, service or infrastructure?
Do you want to make it more visible?
Join us for the first ever OSPARK Bootcamp!
WHAT IS THE OSPARK BOOTCAMP?
The OSPARK bootcamp is all about creating visibility through outreach and marketing. It's a learning opportunity for people working in or leading Open Science initiatives, services or infrastructures. The bootcamp focuses on the needs of Open Science ambassadors and provides ample space to exchange ideas and learn from one another.
This bootcamp consists of a 6-week online course and a 2-day onsite workshop in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
In the online course you can expect:
- Emails with information and tasks (including workbooks) every Tuesday and Thursday.
- One 15-minute check-in per week with another participant (your buddy) to exchange about problems and questions.
- A 1-hour online session per week with an expert who answers questions and facilitates the group discussion.
All in all, please expect to work 3 hours per week on the online course. You will spend much of that time on your initiative's outreach, not just on learning.
At the 2-day onsite workshop we will tackle common challenges and work together on promoting the wonderful initiatives, services, and infrastructures you are building.
IMPORTANT DATES
| Dec 1, 2025 | Participation Applications Open |
| Jan 16, 2026 | Early Notifications of Participation |
| Feb 13, 2026 | Participation Applications Close |
| Feb 16, 2026 | Final Notifications of Participation |
| Mar 5 - Apr 16, 2026 | Online Course |
| Apr 23 - 24, 2026 | Onsite Workshop in Belfast |
For more details on the timetable please scroll down. If you want to import the calendar into yours, click the calendar symbol on top of this page.
Side info: The Onsite Workshop dates were selected because some of you might already be in Belfast for the Collaborations Workshop (April 28-30).
PARTICIPATION FEES
Funding for running the OSPARK bootcamp is from the OSCARS project.
Hence participation is free of charge.
To increase our budget to for offering travel stipends, we integrated the possibility to pay solidarity payments.
TRAVEL STIPENDS FOR ONSITE WORKSHOP
We are able to offer a few stipends to support folks with their travel and hotel in the range of £200-500.
INCLUSIVE EVENT
We strive to make this event as inclusive as possible. Please let us know about your needs in the registration form.
VENUE
Details on the venue in Belfast will be announced soon.
RESEARCH
As a participant, you will be asked to take part in some research evaluating the course. More information will be provided closer to the time.
ORGANIZERS
The OSPARK Bootcamp is organized by the Digital Research Academy and OLS and funded via the OSCARS project:
TOPICS
The email course is kitchen-themed and has the following topics:
Recipe #0 – Step into the Kitchen: Your Visibility Journey Starts Here 🍳
Recipe #1 – “What? Why? Who?” The 3 Important Questions
Recipe #2 – What’s Your Flavor? Your unique voice and brand 🍋
Recipe #3 – Pick Your Plate: Choosing the Right Communication Channels 🍽️
Recipe #4 – Serving Your Message on Social Media 🍞📱
Recipe #5 – Your mouth is not only for eating: Presenting and Speaking
Recipe #6 – Audio on the Menu: Getting Started with Podcasting 🎙️
Recipe #7 – Lights, Camera, Action! Serving Your Message with Video 🎥🍳
Recipe #8 – Inbox Ingredients: Serving Value with Email ✉️
Recipe #9 – Bring It to the Table: Events & Conversations 🧑🍳💬
Recipe #10 – Generous Marketing: Serve Real Value, Not Sales Pitches 🥐
Recipe #11 – Don’t Cook Alone: Involving Allies 🤝🥘
Recipe #12 – The Menu: Your Marketing & Communications Strategy 🗺️🥗
Recipe #13 - Dessert Is Served: Thank You + What’s Next 🎂
In each online session we will discuss the topics of two emails. For dates and times, see below.