Learn open science straight from NASA, at no cost. Open Science Essentials is a free, self-paced online course from NASA’s Transform to Open Science (TOPS) initiative. It gives a two-hour overview of the principles, practices, and tools of open science, and it’s open to researchers, managers, students, and other learners outside NASA. You finish it at your own pace, and completing the training earns a NASA Open Science digital badge. NASA’s pages list no application deadline, so you can register whenever you like.
NASA Open Science Essentials 2026 Details:
- Host Organization: NASA (Transform to Open Science initiative)
- Course Name: Open Science Essentials
- Duration: About 2 hours
- Format: Online, self-paced
- Cost: Free
- Recognition: NASA Open Science digital badge on completion
- Eligibility: Open to the public, including international learners
- Deadline: None listed on NASA’s pages
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Course Benefits
- No cost: NASA offers the course free of charge to learners outside the agency
- Short and flexible: It takes about two hours, so you can fit it around study or work
- Beginner-friendly: It gives an introduction to open science without long prerequisites
- A shareable credential: Completion earns a digital badge you can show on social media, a portfolio, or a résumé
- A path to more: NASA encourages you to continue with the longer Open Science 101 course
Certificate note: NASA’s own pages describe a digital badge. Some sites and a university announcement say learners also receive a certificate, so check the registration page to see exactly what you get.
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What You Will Learn
The course gives a high-level introduction to core open science concepts, including:
- The principles of open science and why transparent research matters
- Practices for sharing data, code, and results responsibly
- Tools for open science, including NASA’s “Use, Make, Share” approach, according to a course description
- Ethical and collaborative practices in modern research
Reports describe the course as five short lessons. NASA also offers Open Science 101, a longer training with five modules that takes roughly 10 to 12 hours, for learners who want more depth.
Eligibility Criteria
- Who Can Join: Managers, researchers, and students outside NASA can create an account and register
- Nationality and Age: NASA’s pages don’t list restrictions, and the course is open to the global public
- Experience: No previous research experience is required
- Language: The course is taught in English
- Account: You need a free account on NASA’s online learning platform
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Required Documents
You don’t need any documents. You only need an email address and basic details to create a free account on NASA’s online learning platform.
How to Join NASA Open Science Essentials 2026?
Visit NASA’s open science training page. Look for the Open Science Essentials option.
Pick the right option. Choose the path for researchers, students, and professionals beyond NASA.
Create a free account. Registration happens through NASA’s online learning platform.
Enrol in the course. Once you’re signed up, you can start straight away.
Work through the lessons. Study at your own pace, since NASA says you can complete the course on your own schedule.
Finish the course. Completing it earns your NASA Open Science digital badge.
Official Website
Frequently Asked Questions:
It’s a free, self-paced online course of about two hours that introduces the principles, practices, and tools of open science.
Yes. NASA describes its open science courses as free for learners outside the agency.
NASA says completion earns a digital badge. Some sources also mention a certificate, so confirm what you receive when you register.
NASA’s pages list none. Some websites claim a 29 September 2026 deadline, which conflicts with NASA’s description of ongoing self-paced registration.
Researchers, managers, students, and other learners from anywhere in the world.
Essentials is a two-hour overview. Open Science 101 has five modules and takes around 10 to 12 hours.