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.
With two papers, the TFGS is now presenting initial ideas for the further development of NFDI, which reflect the entire scope of NFDI and can be taken up by other bodies of the NFDI association:
- In order to make access to research data available to users of all scientific disciplines in a needs-based and low-threshold manner, NFDI will create a comprehensive service portfolio in line with the association’s current strategy. The paper “Efficient decision-making structures for an NFDI service portfolio” provides ideas for the development and operation of an NFDI service portfolio. To this end, it formulates criteria, a decision-making process, and the management of the service portfolio. The complete paper can be found on Zenodo.
- Given the variety of scientific needs and the diversity of the actors involved in NFDI, as well as the complexity of their interactions, clearly defined and long-term financing structures are needed for the future NFDI. The paper “Financial Flows for Services and Tasks” outlines the key elements of a sustainable financing model. The published position paper can be viewed and downloaded on Zenodo.
At its meeting on July 4, 2025, the Consortia Assembly approved the publication of the two position papers. Responses to the position papers can be sent to reactions-tfgs-papers@lists.nfdi.de.
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.
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.
Recent Comments