Announcing the 2022 Cohort of Event Fund Grantees!

Code for Science and Society is proud to announce its third cohort of Event Fund grant recipients! The 13 project teams in this cohort are located across 12 countries including Turkey, South Africa, USA, UK, Indonesia, Argentina, Ecuador, Uganda, Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Brazil, and Pakistan. Topics range from redesigning environmental datasets to be more usable for public needs to leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning tools for infectious disease research. We are proud to invest in these events that reflect the global nature of today’s data science community - read on for more about our newest grantees!

The Event Fund is a community-advised fund established in 2019 to support inclusive and accessible events in data science, including machine learning, open data, and artificial intelligence. Read more about the governance of the Event Fund. With this new cohort, over $525,000 USD has been awarded to three cohorts of grantees representing 37 organizing teams hailing from 27 countries across five continents. We have awarded a median grant size of nearly $15,000 per organization. Additionally, grantees join a cohort of data science event organizers navigating the challenges of building community and running great events. Read more about previous training seminars for grantees. Grantees report that the Event Fund helped them lower barriers to participation, connect actors across the open data science community and draw more people into the field. Multiple awardees have gone on to receive substantive financial support from other sources as a result of their Event Fund-supported work. Read more about the impact of this program.

The community of Event Fund grantees represents both emerging and established leadership in research-driven open data science. Please join us in congratulating the 2022 cohort of Event Fund grantees and stay tuned for our next call for applications! To stay up to date, join our mailing list.

About cycle 3: The latest call for applications (RFP #3) drew the highest number of applications yet: 45 applications from 38 countries, reflecting the increasingly global open data science community. We appreciate the enthusiastic response to our request for proposals and the time and effort of our applicants. Grantees were selected based on the proposed event’s alignment with the mission of the fund and their plans to create inclusive and accessible spaces for their communities. The total combined funding distributed in this round is $175,000 USD and the median grant size $14,800 USD.

Acknowledgements: This program is made possible through award number GBMF8449 from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation (https://doi.org/10.37807/GBMF8449), Wellcome, and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. We thank the Event Fund Advisory Committee, Selection Committee, and funding partners for their support in developing this community-advised fund for research-driven open data science communities around the globe.

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2022-2023 CS&S Event Fund Grantees

Bringing data science and AI/ML tools to infectious disease research - a hands-on workshop

Gemma Turon (Ersilia Open Source Initiative) and Susan Winks (H3D Foundation)

This four-day workshop aims to equip early career researchers in Africa with the tools and knowledge to apply data science approaches to infectious disease drug discovery. Participants will learn to use artificial intelligence and machine learning to facilitate biomedical research. The workshop will promote skills for those interested in all stages of drug discovery, from preclinical research to late development stages. The incorporation of AI and machine learning into research is a cost-effective means to advance scientific discovery, yet the implementation of these tools within sub-saharan Africa is scarce; this event aims to reduce this imbalance. The workshop is directed towards scientists residing in African countries, who are traditionally underrepresented within the STEM community. Learn more here. Amount: $16,000

Colloquium on Bioinformatics Learning, Education and Training (CoBLET)

Ayesha Fatima and Mohammad Asif Khan (​Beykoz Institute of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Bezmialem Vakif University, Türkiye)

CoBLET2022 is an international “edu-thon” that aims to provide a platform for experts in the field of bioinformatics learning, education and training (LET) to share innovative tools and practices. The event strives to create a space to cultivate ideas and solutions to bioinformatics LET challenges. This inaugural CoBLET will be hosted by Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul, Türkiye in collaboration with the Global Organisation for Bioinformatics Education, Learning, and Training (GOBLET). The four-day Colloquium will provide various avenues to present current matters of interest in the form of keynotes, short-talks, hands-ons, and culminating with an annual general meeting (AGM) of GOBLET, discussing the community progress to-date and the path forward. Towards sustainability, we hope for CoBLET to be adopted as a flagship annual event of GOBLET, centered around its AGM for an expanded, enriching experience, not just for the members of the organization but also to the wider bioinformatics community. Learn more here. Amount: $11,125.85

Continuing a successful online training: basic molecular data analysis for young researcher in Indonesia

Ni Kadek Dita Cahyani (Yayasan Biodiversitas Indonesia)

Yayasan Biodiversitas Indonesia (BIONESIA), a non-profit organization working to promote conservation of Indonesia biodiversity, developed a series of online workshops aiming to provide training in basic molecular data analysis for Indonesian researchers conducting biodiversity research. The success of the initial series, conducted in 2021, led to the development of a robust network where researchers can connect, solve challenges, and learn new skills related to data analysis. BIONESIA now aims to expand this series to reach a broader audience, including universities in western Indonesia who are disconnected from more recent developments in phylogenetic and basic DNA data analysis. The expansion of these online learning workshops will continue to support molecular ecology research and data analysis in an open and equitable manner. Learn more here. Amount: $10,005

DataFest Africa

Gilbert Beyamba and Neema Iyer (Pollicy)

DataFest is an event which aims to create an inclusive space for discussion on all forms of data, including big data, small data, and everything in between. This event will be the third DataFest, and is to be held in a hybrid event format, with in-person activities spanning across seven cities in Africa. DataFest Africa encourages participation from traditionally marginalized communities, including women, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and those with disabilities. In order to bring a more diverse set of voices to the data science community, the event will additionally invite journalists, human rights activists, communication specialists, government officials, business leaders, students, data analysts, developers, designers, and anybody working with or interested in learning more about data. The program features a broad range of activities, including app demos, lightning talks on big and small data in digital technology, panel discussions, keynote speakers, networking sessions, and more. Learn more here. Amount: $10,000

Diversifying Science & Social Studies Teachers’ Data Literacy Skills through Climate & Health

Kristin Hunter-Thomson (Dataspire)

This grant supports a cohort of twenty-four teachers to participate in a Data Literacy Series to gain the tools and knowledge to understand and effectively use data when teaching students about climate change and health. Science or Social Studies teachers who teach 3rd - 12th grade students from minoritized groups, including within a tribal or inner-city school context, will be selected to participate. Pairs of teachers from the same school or district apply and work together, as research indicates that this type of collaboration enables more effective implementation of tools and practices. Topics covered in this series of workshops include learning about types of data, data visualization, pattern identification, variability, statistical thinking, conclusions & inferences, and communicating with data. Learn more here about the workshops that will be adapted for this event. Amount: $15,700

Girls in Asia Data Training (GiADT)

Ezmieralda Melissa (Binus, Indonesia), Shaista Falak & Tariq Zaman (UTS, Malaysia), Sarbani Banerjee Belur (IIT Bombay, India) and Mehak Sana & Fasih ur Rehman (KKKUK, Pakistan)

The Girls in Asia Data Training (GiADT) aims to encourage the interest of young girls in data science, and provides opportunities to develop important research skill sets, including data visualization, infographics and video presentation, and science communication. This program is open to girls from Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, and India, with two undergraduate students majoring in STEM-related fields and 20 high school students selected from each country. Each country offers sessions focusing on different themes, with Indonesia offering sessions on the economy and business, Malaysia concentrating on climate impacts on health, and Pakistan and India focusing on education. The program features a number of skills development workshops and opportunities for mentorship, including connection with prominent women data scientists. Learn more here. Amount: $16,000

II Ecuadorian Congress on Open Data - Open Science Data / II Congreso de Datos Abiertos Ecuador 2022 - Edición Datos Abiertos de la Ciencia

Julio López Peña (Fundacion Datalat and the Ecuadorian Network of Open Data and Metadata)

The Second Congress on Open Data and Metadata in Ecuador, Open Research Data Edition, CODAM 2022, is promoted by Datalat Foundation and the Ecuadorian Network of Open Data and Metadata (REDAM). The Congress aims to promote a space for dialogue between the Government, universities, civil society and private companies on the importance of open data and metadata, as well as the recent advances in the matter at the public policy level. Activities will feature panel discussions to identify the relevant issues, roundtable discussions to present current initiatives promoting open science data, workshops to develop a common framework for open science data in Ecuador, and an infographic challenge for early career researchers or recent graduates. Learn more here (available in Spanish and English). Amount: $13,900

Open data for nanosystem synthesis: Spreading open science practices in Latin America

Diego Onna and Mauro Bringas (Machine Learning for Chemistry Latin America  - ML4ChemLA)

This project aims to train students and researchers from developing countries to use open data for nanosystems. Individuals without programming knowledge across Latin America will participate in workshops where they can learn programming skills, including open and reproducible research, data science, and machine learning. The resources will be available in Spanish and Portuguese. Learn more here. Amount: $4,105

Open Hardware Makers: science edition!

Andre Maia Chagas (Trend in Africa)

Open Hardware Makers will run a 16-week online training program for early career open science hardware developers, teaching individuals how to make projects reusable, inclusive, and sustainable. Open science hardware is often developed by postdocs and graduate students to facilitate lab work, but subsequently abandoned when developers move on to newer projects. Open documentation allows these tools to become reusable knowledge, and serves to lower entry barriers to research, leading to the emergence of new data and diversification of datasets. Learn more here. Amount: $16,000

Open Science South Asia Network (OSSAN)

Moumita Koley, Pragya Chaube, Gautam Sharma (DST-Centre for Policy, Indian Institute of Sciences Bengaluru)

This event seeks to raise awareness of Open Science practices, policies, and infrastructure, and to build a community of practice within South Asia. Activities include a conference and workshop, which aim to start a dialogue on the need for open science, along with an "ideathon" to deliberate tangible steps in creating an open research data sharing framework among South Asian countries. Learn more here. Amount: $11,995

Pathways to Open Science with HBCU Research Teams

Ileana Fenwick and Julia Stewart Lowndes (Openscapes)

This virtual event series aims to mentor environmental science researchers from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the US, and to strengthen engagement and community around  open data science. Building on the organizers’ existing collaborations and teaching  experience, HBCU faculty and students will be invited to join three sessions, where they will explore open data science tools, practices, and communities. Learn more here. Amount: $18,170

Re-Mix: Design Workshops for Accessible, Usable, and Inclusive Environmental Data Sets

Michelle Cheripka (Open Environmental Data Project)

Environmental data has the capacity to help communities better understand their environments and advocate for more effective action, but these communities often don’t see themselves in public datasets, are unaware they exist, or have trouble accessing and reusing them beyond their original intent. The Open Environmental Data Project will organize three virtual sessions, where participants, who include community members disproportionately impacted by environmental injustices, will redesign existing environmental datasets. Learn more here. Amount: $16,000

Women in Bioinformatics and Data Science Latin America: Conference and Boot Camp

Ana Julia Velez Rueda and Liliane Conteville (Women in Bioinformatics and Data Science Latin America)

Women in Bioinformatics and Data Science Latin America (WBDS-LA) is a non-profit organization aiming to make visible research carried out by women in Bioinformatics and Data Science fields, and to encourage the formation of collaborative networks between women scientists. WBDS LA offers a free, intensive virtual training camp for early career researchers, undergraduate, and graduate students from marginalized backgrounds who are interested in learning open Bioinformatics and Data Science from scratch. They also host a conference promoting visibility of work conducted by Latin American researchers within these fields. Learn more here. Amount: $16,000

Featured Image by Ivan Bandura on Unsplash