Repo4Cat – helps to store, describe and publish research data from catalysis-related sciences (NFDI4Cat)

Repo4Cat is a central platform (repository) within the NFDI4Cat infrastructure where research can be stored, shared, published, discovered, and advanced collaboratively. Its success story is about user experience, from the first click and to the final publication of data.

The first interaction with the repository starts for the users with searching and exploring of already published datasets from the fields of catalysis:

• Real data from experiments as supplemental materials to scientific papers (input and configuration files, results of experiments, etc.)
• Original materials from the research projects (white papers, dissemination and training materials, etc.)
• Extensive metadata, history of changes and full text search inside of stored files

As next step users can create an account and start to use Repo4Cat for their own data – at first for storage and indexing of local catalogs:

• Long-term storage and management of research data, independent of locality or openness of research – even without publication data continues to be FAIR
• Work and collaboration on a local level possible, e.g., only within own organization or research group and even without publication – working areas with custom access rights, metadata and data storage possible
• Unique persistent identifiers (PIDs) for datasets and files – reference of data on a permanent way during the whole project life circle

And finally, the data in Repo4Cat can be properly shared and published:

• Storage, sharing and publication of research data using proper metadata and licenses – to make data truly FAIR
• Possibility to extend scientific publications in journals with real data from the experiments – using Repo4Cat to create supplemental materials to scientific papers, already during submission or peer-review
• Thanks PIDs published data stays accessible for a long term

Repo4Cat has been in operation since June 2024. After almost 2 years it has more than 60 users and more than 10 organizations, it represents 100+ published datasets with a total of 1700+ downloads.

Repo4Cat was created by and for the community. That’s why user support and training stay always in a central position – a special collection of repository guidelines and exercises helps users to make the first steps, and regular Repo4Cat workshops allow users to try the repository and discover its full functionality in a safe demo area and under the individual mentoring of the community experts.

Creation of a repository is not a trivial task, it includes many steps and takes some time. NFDI4Cat has collected all experience of Repo4Cat creation in one paper – from collection of requirements, comparison of the repository software products, to the installation process, operation of the repository and user support. This paper can be a starting point for other communities, who also plan to create their own repository. Additionally, NFDI4Cat shares its approach in the user training and in the user communication, which also can be reused by other communities.

Repo4Cat – let`s collect Catalysis data together!

• Find Repo4Cat
• Repository Guidelines and Exercises
• Find Demo Repo4Cat 
• More info can be found in RDM School of Catalysis
• Find Repo4Cat creation paper
• User Training
• User Communication

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