Open Source Program Office (OSPO)

Fostering Innovation and Collaboration Through Open Source at Mississippi State University.

What is Open Source?

Open source refers to software, hardware, or other creative works where the source material is made freely available for others to use, modify, and distribute. It is a powerful model for collaborative innovation that accelerates research, enhances transparency, and creates impactful technology. At its core, open source is about community-driven development and shared ownership of technological advancements.

By participating in open source, our researchers and students join a global community, contributing to and benefiting from a vast ecosystem of knowledge and tools that push the boundaries of what's possible.

The OSPO at Mississippi State University

Housed within the Office of Technology Management, the MSU Open Source Program Office (OSPO) is dedicated to supporting and guiding the university community in all aspects of open source. Our mission is to empower faculty, staff, and students to effectively use, create, and release open source projects while managing intellectual property, ensuring compliance, and maximizing the impact of their work.

We serve as a central hub for open source strategy, policy, and best practices, helping to align the university's open source activities with its broader goals of research excellence, economic development, and societal impact.

How We Can Help

The OSPO provides a range of services to the entire MSU community:

  • Consultation & Guidance: We offer expert advice on open source licensing, compliance, and intellectual property considerations for your research and software projects.
  • Project Strategy: From inception to release, we can help you develop a strategy for managing your open source project, building a community of contributors, and ensuring its long-term success.
  • Education & Training: We provide workshops and resources on open source best practices, covering topics like choosing a license, managing repositories, and engaging with the open source community.
  • Connecting Innovators: The OSPO connects MSU researchers and developers with industry partners and other institutions, fostering collaborations that are built on a foundation of open innovation.
  • Streamlining Disclosures: We work closely with inventors to simplify the technology disclosure process for open source software, ensuring it aligns with university policies and potential commercialization pathways.

Getting Started with Open Source at MSU

Whether you are an experienced developer or new to the world of open source, the OSPO is your partner in innovation. Here’s how you can begin: