OSPARK Bootcamp Zurich - Promote your Open Research Initiative!
Calendar Event date
20 September – 12 November 2026
Are you involved in an Open Research initiative, service or infrastructure?
Do you want to make it more visible?
The OSPARK bootcamp is all about creating visibility through outreach and marketing. It's a cohort-based learning opportunity for people working in or leading Open Research initiatives, services or infrastructures. We focus on the needs of Open Research ambassadors who already have open research experience, and want space to learn concepts, exchange ideas and learn from one another.
This bootcamp consists of a 6-week online training cohort programme (kickoff + six 90-minute sessions) and a 2-day onsite workshop in Zurich, Switzerland.
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
| July 2026 | Participation applications open |
| July 31 | Q&A Webinar at 3pm UK time / 4pm Central Europe / see in your timezone |
| August 2 | Early-bird participation applications close - (If you require a Schengen visa, use this deadline) |
| August 15 | Extended application deadline / late participation applications close |
| August 14 | Notifications of participation for early applicants |
| August 15 | Notifications of participation for late applicants |
Course Dates | See below for detailed schedule |
END OF COURSE GRADUATION - online
At the end of the course, we will host 2-3 online sessions to allow people to share their learnings, tips, and successes. This will welcome people across all three cohorts of OSPARK, and does not require attendance at the in-person event.
After attending the graduation and filling out the final feedback form, participants will be awarded a certificate of participation.
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. In the last two bootcamps, the most common accommodation we have offered is a free hotel or airbnb.
We can not always accommodate as many requests as we would like, and will offer online-only participation as an option if you are unable to attend the in-person sessions.
INCLUSIVE EVENT
We strive to make this event as inclusive as possible. Please let us know about your needs in the registration form.
By default we provide:
- Transcription at all online calls via Otter.ai
- The option to participate in online breakout rooms in written or spoken format, depending in your preference.
- The cohort calls will extend and support the email topics, allowing you to participate in whichever way works best for you, and reinforcing solo learning.
VENUE
The onsite workshop will be held in Zurich. Details will be announced shortly.
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.
ORGANISERS
The OSPARK Bootcamp is organized by the Digital Research Academy and OLS and funded via the OSCARS project:
The onsite workshop is held in collaboration with OILS (Open Innovation in Life Sciences).