Platforms for Open Data program taking new applicants

The Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet has opened applications for the next round of its Platforms for Open Data (PfOD) program.

The PfOD is an initiative of the CSIRO’s Data61 data innovation group and forms part of the National Innovation and Science Agenda (NISA).

The program is designed to give government agencies an opportunity to work on R&D projects aimed at increasing the availability of high-value government data sets for both fellow government agencies and the public.

APS employees will have until 30 March to submit a proposal for a project, and if selected will work with Data61 to develop their project.

Projects will be assessed based on their potential for significant positive impact for Australia and their alignment with NISA and the government’s Public Data Policy Statement.

Projects developed in consultation with Data61 in terms of project viability and scope and that are consistent with Data61 research and strategic objectives will also be prioritised.

Past PfOD participant and agency project lead for the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science Troy McGregor said the program allowed him to explore taking the paperwork out of regulation and compliance by adopting a Regulation as a Platform model.

“Kick-starting a project like this would be difficult without a purpose-built forum. I think PfOD provides an ideal conduit for government to conceive, test and chart data-driven transformation through incremental and practical outcome-based projects,” he said.

“I encourage all agencies to participate and, where possible, bring forward joint proposals on common challenges. As a policy expert I found that shaping a proposal benefited enormously from early engagement with Data61 research and engineering staff.”

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/contrastwerkstatt

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