Today the Western Institute for Neuroscience (WIN) becomes the sixth Canadian organization to join a growing Open Science network led by The Neuro鈥檚 Tanenbaum Open Science Institute (TOSI). Open Science is the concept of sharing data, information, tools and research results to eliminate barriers for collaboration and maximize research impact.听听
WIN鈥檚 new Open Science framework will shape the institute鈥檚 identity and guide research, training, and programming. It includes that will help researchers to voluntarily integrate Open Science principles and practices into their research projects from start to finish.听
By adopting these principles, WIN becomes the first institute within Western University to commit to Open Science at the institutional level. The goal is to make the framework a blueprint for other units beyond neuroscience at Western interested in adopting Open Science.听听
"We are thrilled to welcome WIN into the TOSI family," says Dr. Guy Rouleau, Director of The Neuro and co-founder of the Tanenbaum Open Science Institute. "With several Open Science initiatives and champions already, WIN is a natural addition to our growing group of partners and will undoubtedly strengthen our national efforts to make Open Science the norm in Neuroscience."听
Last year, researchers at The Neuro, Western and other institutions announced , a data sharing agreement to identify promising therapeutics against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer鈥檚 and Parkinson鈥檚. This latest TOSI partnership elevates Open Science collaboration from the individual researcher to the institutional level between The Neuro and Western.听
In the years ramping up to their commitment to Open Science, WIN received a $100,000 contribution from TOSI鈥檚 National Incentive Fund, with matched support from Western University鈥檚 BrainsCAN, to conduct a thorough consultation phase and plan implementation. With this groundwork laid, TOSI's long-term annual funding commitment, matched by WIN, ensures the ongoing and sustained integration of Open Science practices across the institute.听
鈥淥ne of our goals for WIN is to make our research more accessible and reproducible, both of which build trust with our community and accelerate knowledge mobilization and impact,鈥� says WIN鈥檚 interim director Shawn Whitehead. 鈥淲e are grateful to TOSI for supporting us with this award to ensure that Open Science is a foundational core principle for WIN.鈥澨�
About TOSI听
The Tanenbaum Open Science Institute was founded to drive the adoption of Open Science across Canadian neuroscience research institutes. In addition to promoting Open Science within The Neuro, TOSI engages in strategic collaborations and partnerships through its Open Science Support and Partnership Framework. Through the Framework, TOSI supports and guides other institutes in adopting Open Science practices and principles and establishes an alliance of neuroscience research institutes across Canada committed to Open Science.听
About WIN听
The Western Institute for Neuroscience was established in 2020 to bring together and enhance collaboration among basic and applied researchers and clinicians, with expertise in various disciplines and approaches. Western's neuroscience community is home to world-class facilities and training programs, and the institute aims to elevate and accelerate the impact of neuroscience research on society.听
