Job Description

NASA Free Online Courses

NASA 101 Free Online Courses with Certificates are a free, self-paced online training designed to teach researchers, students, and the general public the principles and practical skills of open science. Offered through NASA’s Transform to Open Science (TOPS) initiative, this course helps participants make their research more transparent, reproducible, and impactful. NASA Free Online Courses. Upon successful completion, learners receive an official NASA Open Science 101 digital badge and certificate. The training can also be added to your ORCID profile.

Course Overview

  • Format: Fully online and self-paced
  • Duration: Approximately 12 hours
  • Structure: 5 comprehensive modules
  • Cost: Completely free
  • Audience: Students, researchers, early-career scientists, and anyone interested in open science
  • Language: English

What You Will Learn

The course covers the full open science workflow through five modules:

  1. Module 1 – Ethos of Open Science
    What open science is, its benefits and challenges, and when (and when not) to practice openness.
  2. Module 2 – Open Tools & Resources
    Introduction to the “Use, Make, Share” framework, FAIR principles, and essential open science tools.
  3. Module 3 – Open Data
    How to find, assess, create, and share open data effectively.
  4. Module 4 – Open Code
    Best practices for using, developing, and sharing open-source code throughout the research lifecycle.
  5. Module 5 – Open Results & Collaboration
    Building ethical collaborations, publishing and crediting open results, and writing open science & data management plans.

Key Benefits

  • Official NASA Free Online Courses
  • Strong foundation for applying open science practices in research
  • Helpful preparation for NASA funding applications
  • Increased visibility and impact of your scientific work
  • Skills in open data, open code, open licensing, repositories, and collaborative tools

Who Can Join?

The course is open to learners of all backgrounds and nationalities. No prior experience in open science is required. It is suitable for:

  • University students (undergraduate and graduate)
  • Researchers and scientists
  • Educators and citizen scientists
  • Anyone interested in transparent and collaborative research

How to Register

Open science is becoming a core requirement in modern research. Completing NASA Open Science 101 demonstrates that you understand how to plan, conduct, and share research openly and ethically. It also strengthens applications for research funding and improves the long-term impact of your work. Registration is handled through NASA’s STEM Gateway platform.

Steps for non-NASA learners:

  1. Go to the course page
  2. Click “Apply” in the upper right corner
  3. Complete the registration questions
  4. Start the self-paced modules once accepted

Start learning today and earn your official NASA Open Science badge.

Official course page:
Register for NASA Open Science 101

Apply Now

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