Start of the FAIR Data Spaces project
A FAIR Data Space for Research and Industry
Gaia-X and NFDI start FAIR-Data Spaces project
(Published on 27.07.2021) The FAIR Data Spaces project was started in May 2021. It is planned for three years and is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, BMBF. In this project, the federated safe data infrastructure Gaia-X and the National Research Data Infrastructure (NFDI) are developing a common, cloud-based data space for industry and research in compliance with the FAIR principles, which means sharing data in a findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable way. The project creates the roadmap for the cooperation of the two initiatives, clarifies ethical and legal frameworks for data exchange between science and industry, develops common technical foundations and demonstrates the use of Gaia-X technologies for the supply and use of research data following the FAIR principles in different scientific disciplines and industrial sectors. The NFDI Association and numerous universities that are organised in NFDI consortia represent the scientific domain. The business-oriented Gaia-X side is represented by the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft as well as Atos as representatives of the companies that are involved in Gaia-X. The project is coordinated by the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Information Technology FIT and co-coordinated by the National Research Data Infrastructure (NFDI) e.V.. The BMBF has published a press release on the topic, which can be accessed here: Karliczek: With FAIR-Data Spaces we are creating a common data space for science and industry (German
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.
