As key players in the development of the National Research Data Infrastructure (NFDI), the 26 specialist consortia present an initial overview of four years of joint work in a paper published on zenodo.
In the current phase of the structure evaluation and the subsequent decision of the Gemeinsame Wissenschaftskonferenz (GWK) on the continuation of NFDI, the consortia are commenting on the status quo and the future of NFDI and are thus addressing the working group of the Wissenschaftsrat, the NFDI expert committee of the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the decision-makers at federal and state level.
The position paper deals with added value that has already been created by NFDI and the realization of which is still being worked on:
- Effective support for scientific research processes through powerful data services
Promotion of a cultural change towards FAIR data sharing - Leading role in the further development of professional research data management (RDM)
- Digital sovereignty and an open-source approach as a working paradigm
- Professionalization and IT security in the provision of services
The consortia also cite numerous examples that illustrate the high degree of networking of NFDI.
A future-oriented paragraph presents the framework conditions that the consortia believe are necessary for successful further development. From this, they derive two core requirements for a new agreement between the federal and state governments: Prospects should be created for specialist staff and the long-term operation of services should be made possible.
The Consortium Assembly of the NFDI Association has given its consent in a circulation procedure for the position paper to be published in its name.
You can find the position paper here on zenodo.
Other posts
Posts
RDM in Action: Highlights oft CoRDI 2025
Almost 700 people attended the Conference on Research Data Infrastructure (CoRDI) 2025 at RWTH Aachen University. The three-day conference, held from 26 to 28 August at C.A.R.L. (Central Auditorium for Research and Learning), focused on making better use of research data and the resulting added value for science and society. The motto ‘RDM (Research Data Management) in Action’ was reflected in all presentations, discussions and posters.
NFDI Directorate: Susanne Walter-Augustin appointed as new Administrative Director
Susanne Walter-Augustin was appointed Administrative Director in June 2025. She has been contributing her extensive experience in administration, finance and project management since 1 August 2025. With a degree in business administration, she previously held various management positions in social, cultural and educational institutions.
Impulse papers on NFDI service portfolio and financial flows published
On July 14, 2025, the German Council of Science and Humanities (WR) presented the results of its structural evaluation of the German National Research Data Infrastructure (NFDI). In its report, the WR makes recommendations for the further development of NFDI. The NFDI Task Force Governance and Sustainability (TFGS) is also addressing this issue. In its work plan “Steps for the Further Development of our NFDI,” the TFGS has defined clear framework conditions for the further development of the structure and financing of NFDI.
Recent Comments