With over 950 responses from 55 countries, the results from the 2026 International RSE Survey are now in. 

This year’s survey offers insights into key areas of focus for research organisations, funders and policy makers including on the use and perception of generative AI in research software, open-source practices, and community demographics. 

The full dataset from the 2026 survey is available to download, and the full ten years of survey data can also be viewed on an interactive online dashboard.

Alongside our partners, we will be releasing detailed analyses of the survey data throughout the next year.

The survey is the product of international collaboration and would not have been possible without the dedicated effort of the steering committee, which included: Sam Ahern, Jyoti Bhogal, Alex Botzki, Jeff Carver, Ian Cosden, Michael Donnay, Kim Hartley, Simon Hettrick, Saranjeet Kaur Bhogal, Wioleta Kijewska, Heather Packer, Thomas Pronk, Uwe Schmitt, Anelda van der Walt, Samantha Wittke, Claire Wyatt, Riva Quiroga and Marek Basovník.

Our particular thanks go to our translators - Riva Quiroga, Patricia Loto, Katja Linnemann, Dorothee Stängle and Fares Dhane - who made it possible for the survey to be distributed in Spanish, French and German in addition to English.

The 2026 RSE Survey and the RSE Survey Report Dashboard were supported by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) through the UKRI Metascience Research Grants programme and through the SSI Phase 4 grant (AH/Z000114/1). Additional support for the RSE Data Competition was provided by the UK Society of Research Software Engineering. Additional communications support for the survey was provided by Dennis Barclay.

If you’d like to discuss the survey further or have any questions, please reach out to Michael Donnay.