TL;DR
DeSci (Decentralized Science) is a movement to bring science into a new era: one that’s open, transparent, and collaborative. Polkadot has all the tools to make this vision real, but right now, not a single DeSci project exists in its ecosystem. We started OSRD to change that. If you care about the future of science, you can help.
What is DeSci?
Science is supposed to be a pursuit of truth—open to all, shared with all.
But today, most of it is locked away. Research papers sit behind paywalls. Data is hidden or lost. Funding favors prestige over potential. And collaboration is often limited by borders, institutions, or ego.
DeSci is a movement to fix that. It’s about using blockchain not just for finance but for the pursuit of knowledge. Imagine scientific data stored openly, research funded by communities, and discoveries credited fairly through immutable records. DeSci is a new way to do science—without the gatekeepers, without the silos.
This isn’t science fiction. It’s already happening. Projects are rethinking publishing, peer review, funding, and collaboration—using DAOs, tokens, decentralized storage, and on-chain governance. Slowly but surely, science is being reimagined.
Why Do We Need DeSci?
Because the current system is failing too many people.
A researcher spends months on a discovery—then waits another year to publish it, only for it to land behind a $40 paywall. A brilliant idea doesn’t get funded because it’s not coming from the “right” institution. A young scientist in a developing country can’t access the papers or tools needed to contribute.
This isn’t just unfair—it’s dangerous. We’re facing global challenges: pandemics, climate change, AI safety, and energy crises. We can’t afford a system that slows down innovation or shuts people out. We need a science that’s faster, fairer, and more global.
DeSci is not about replacing science. It’s about unlocking it.
Why Polkadot Is a Perfect Fit for DeSci
Polkadot isn’t just another blockchain. It’s an ecosystem built for complexity—just like science.
Where most blockchains are islands, Polkadot is a network of bridges. Its parachain structure means that different blockchains can talk to each other, share data, and collaborate without friction. This is exactly what science needs: interoperability. Imagine a research funding chain connecting directly to a data-sharing chain or a peer review DAO linking to a publishing protocol.
And it’s not just about connections—it’s about scale. Scientific data is massive, and Polkadot’s architecture allows for parallel processing across chains. That means no bottlenecks and no slowdowns.
Polkadot is also endlessly customizable. Using Substrate, developers can build blockchains tailored to specific scientific fields: one for genomics, one for climate models, one for clinical trials. This kind of precision is vital—science is not one-size-fits-all.
And because Polkadot offers shared security, teams can focus on innovation without reinventing the wheel. Add in on-chain governance and funding tools, and you’ve got the perfect toolbox for building science DAOs.
So yes, Polkadot was made for things just like DeSci. But here’s the paradox: DeSci is growing, and Polkadot is capable, yet they’re not growing together.
So… Why Is There No DeSci on Polkadot?
It’s not because it can’t happen. It’s because the right bridges haven’t been built—yet.
DeSci is still young. Many of the projects are in early stages, and in Web3, early projects tend to follow where the crowd is. Right now, that crowd is mostly on Ethereum. It’s the familiar ground, the well-lit path.
But Polkadot remains largely a mystery to DeSci builders. Many of them don’t know how it works or what it could offer their mission. It’s not that they’ve rejected it—it’s that no one has really shown them the door.
And to be fair, that door isn’t easy to open. Polkadot uses unique technologies like Substrate. It’s incredibly powerful—but that power comes with a learning curve. For a small DeSci team, learning a new stack can feel overwhelming.
There’s also a tooling gap. While other ecosystems now offer templates for launching science DAOs or publishing protocols, Polkadot doesn’t yet have plug-and-play DeSci infrastructure. Builders would have to start from scratch.
Another problem is that the DeSci and Polkadot communities rarely interact. They live in different spaces, attend different events, and read different things. Without bridges between the cultures, no one even knows who to talk to.
Then there’s funding. Most of the DeSci grants and VCs are Ethereum-centric. It’s not that they dislike Polkadot—it’s just not on their radar. This makes it harder for a founder to choose Polkadot, even if they want to.
Finally, there’s the perception problem. To an outsider, Polkadot can look complex, academic, and even intimidating. It’s not a fair view, but it’s a real one. We have to change the story if we want to change the momentum.
What Can We Do About It?
The good news? These aren’t hard limits. They’re just missing connections. And connections can be built.
We can make Polkadot more accessible to DeSci builders. We can write guides, tell stories, host conversations. We can build starter kits and no-code tools. We can connect funders with founders. We can shine a light where no one’s looking.
But most importantly, we can believe that Polkadot deserves a place in the future of science. And we can start acting like it.
This is why we created OSRD.
Who We Are
OSRD stands for Open Space for Research & Development.
We’re a small team—just two people—who believe deeply in the power of open science and the technology behind Polkadot.
We’re not a foundation. We’re not funded. We’re just driven.
We believe that if we start telling the story, if we start building the bridge, others will cross it.
What We’re Doing
We’re starting with education. We’re writing simple, clear content that helps people understand what DeSci is, why it matters, and how Polkadot can power it.
We’re publishing in-depth articles, creating Twitter threads, and hosting conversations with builders and researchers. We want to connect people who’ve never spoken before.
We’re shining a spotlight. We’re saying: “Look over here. This space is full of potential.”
Our Goal
By the end of 2025, we want to help at least 10 DeSci projects launch on Polkadot. Don’t just talk about it—do it. We want to guide, support, amplify, and celebrate the pioneers who take the leap.
Join Us
If you’re reading this, maybe you’re one of them.
Maybe you’re a researcher with a bold idea. A developer with a powerful tool. A dreamer who wants to make knowledge truly free.
You don’t need permission to build. You don’t need to wait for someone else to lead. This is your space, too.
Follow us:
- Twitter/X - https://x.com/joinosrd
- Medium - https://medium.com/@joinosrd
Share this message. Join the conversation. Help us light the path.
Let’s build the future of science. Let’s do it on Polkadot. Let’s do it together.
