(Published on 06.10.2021) Although the NFDI consortia cover a wide variety of scientific fields, many topics also overlap. These cross-cutting topics will be addressed in so-called sections. The first four sections are now starting their work. The Scientific Senate approved their establishment at its meeting on 29 September.
The following four sections will be at the start:
(Meta)data, terminologies and provenance (section-metadata)
Common standards in research data management are the basis for the possibility of effective re-use of data. The section “(Meta)data, terminologies and provenance” is working on this. Best practices for modelling terminologies, vocabularies and ontologies are to be developed. In addition, standardised and comprehensible documentation procedures for technical and cultural aspects of the creation context of (meta)data are to be established.
Common Infrastructures (section-infra)
Various research disciplines already have their own, isolated information infrastructures. To ensure that these heterogeneous offerings can be used interoperably in the future and to promote interdisciplinary (data-)exchange, they should be embedded in a common infrastructure. The realisation of a multi-cloud-based basic infrastructure is envisaged. The topics of sustainable usability and long-term archiving will also play a role in the “Common Infrastructures” section.
Training & Education (section-edutrain)
Better research data management in daily operations relies on the knowledge of individual researchers. Therefore, NFDI is committed to strengthening data literacy in university and non-university research. In the “Training & Education” section, training modules with teaching materials are to be developed that are geared to the needs of the target groups. In addition, a certificate course for data stewards, persons who are responsible for good data quality within an institution, should be designed.
Ethical, Legal & Social Aspects (section-ELSA)
The provision and exchange of research data is often associated with legal issues. When dealing with personal data special consideration must be given to data protection, while in other areas intellectual property law plays a special role. The section “Ethical, Legal & Social Aspects” is intended to provide an exchange forum for legal and ethical questions. Together, guidelines and legal standards for research data management in everyday scientific life are to be developed.
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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.
What’s next for NFDI after 2028? German Science and Humanities Council presents evaluation report.
At its meeting on 11 July 2025, the German Council of Science and Humanities (Wissenschaftsrat, WR) adopted a report on the structural evaluation of the German National Research Data Infrastructure (NFDI). This is highly relevant for the future design of NFDI.
NFDI would like to thank the Council for the numerous valuable impulses that emerged from the report and very much welcomes the recommendation for the further funding and organisation of the network.
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