The Center for Open Science is retiring OSF Projects as an active research workspace. While OSF will continue to host registrations, preprints, and search tools, its project spaces will soon transition to a permanent, read-only archive.
If you currently use OSF to manage ongoing research data or collaborate with co-authors, here is a quick overview of what is changing, what it means for your files, and the alternative platforms available to you at SMU.
What is changing and when?
The phase-out will take place in two stages:
- 16 November 2026: You will no longer be able to create new OSF Projects or add new components to existing ones.
- 19 February 2027: All existing projects (both public and private) will become read-only. You will still be able to view and download existing files, but you will no longer be able to edit metadata, upload new datasets, or manage collaborators.
If you have already shared links or DOIs to public OSF projects in published papers, those will continue to work as normal.
Do you need to take action?
It depends on how you currently use the platform:
If your project is finished and public: You don't need to do anything. Your public files, metadata, and DOIs will stay online as an open, citable historical record.
If your project is active or private: You should plan to move your work before February 2027 if you still need to update files, add collaborators, or continue active data collection. Keep in mind that while private projects will initially remain accessible in read-only mode, the Center for Open Science has indicated that private spaces may eventually be phased out with advance notice.
Do I actually need to migrate my OSF Project?
Not every OSF Project needs to be moved. Consider the following:
| Your situation | Suggested action |
|---|---|
| Completed, public project that requires no further updates | Leave it on OSF as a read-only scholarly record. |
| Public project, but the research or dataset will continue to change | Keep the existing OSF record where appropriate but establish another location for future versions and clearly link between them. |
| Active private project | Plan migration before 19 February 2027. |
| Completed private project that could appropriately be made public | Review it for sensitive, confidential, proprietary, or identifiable information before considering public release. |
| Project is mainly software or code | Consider GitHub for active version-controlled development and an appropriate repository such as SMU Research Data Repository (RDR) for preserving and citing a release. |
| You mainly use OSF for preregistration | OSF Registrations remain available; you may not need to migrate this workflow. |
Exploring alternatives: SMU Research Data Repository (RDR)
If you are looking for a new home for your data, SMU researchers have direct access to the SMU Research Data Repository (RDR), powered by Figshare.
RDR is designed to support the entire research lifecycle. You can work with both SMU colleagues and external co-authors in private shared spaces during the active phase of your research, and later publish datasets with a reserved DOI and custom access settings (such as open access, embargoes, or restricted access).
At a glance: OSF Projects vs. SMU RDR
| Feature | OSF Projects | SMU RDR Projects (Figshare) |
|---|---|---|
| Workspace status | Read-only from 19 Feb 2027 | Active institutional workspace for SMU researchers |
| Storage quota | 5 GB (private) / 50 GB (public) | 100 GB personal + 100 GB per Project (expandable upon request) |
| Max file size | 5 GB per file | Up to 5 TB (with API upload options) |
| Collaboration | Read-only for existing members | Invite internal and external collaborators via free accounts |
| DOIs & citations | Existing DOIs continue to resolve | Reserve DOIs in advance for papers; activates on publication |
| Access options | Public or private (read-only) | Private during research; Open, Embargoed, or Restricted upon completion |
| Metrics | Basic views and downloads | Views, downloads, citations, and Altmetric tracking for public records |
| Support | Center for Open Science | Direct local support from SMU Libraries |
Suggested next steps
If you have active projects on OSF, we suggest taking a few straightforward steps over the coming months:
- Review your existing projects: Distinguish between completed studies that can stay as read-only archives and active projects that need a new home.
- Download a local backup: Ensure you have copies of all data, scripts, and documentation you wish to retain.
- Choose the right repository: For non-sensitive data and general publications, SMU RDR is a convenient choice. For specialised domains or codebases, you may also consider disciplinary repositories or platforms like GitHub.
- Complete migrations before February 2027: Give yourself and your team ample time before the edit cutoff.
Some more things to take note
Already cited your OSF Project?
If an OSF URL or DOI already appears in a publication, avoid treating a newly migrated copy as though it simply replaces the original record. Where appropriate, retain the original public OSF Project and clearly connect it to any new repository record or subsequent version. This helps readers distinguish the record originally cited from later versions of the research materials.
What about files linked from external services?
Existing connections to external services, such as Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and GitHub, will continue to appear in OSF Projects. Files in connected storage integrations will remain viewable and downloadable. However, after 19 February 2027, users will no longer be able to modify files through the OSF interface or connect new storage integrations to Projects. If you rely on an OSF integration, review the connection and plan your future workflow before the transition.
We are here to help
Transitioning platforms can bring up questions around licensing, sensitive data, or organizing large file sets. If you would like advice on selecting the right repository, migrating files, or reserving DOIs for upcoming manuscripts, the Research & Data Services team at SMU Libraries is happy to help.
Reach out to us at library@smu.edu.sg or explore the SMU Research Data Repository.
