HeFDI – Ten Years of Research Data Management

Since 2016, the HeFDI state initiative has been supporting researchers at universities in Hesse in the professional management of digital research data. The aim of the project is to establish research data management (RDM) on a sustainable basis and to support researchers throughout the entire research process – from grant applications through active data management to the long-term archiving and re-use of research data.

What is HeFDI?

The increasing digitalisation of research is leading to growing volumes of data and new requirements for documentation, storage and reusability. HeFDI addresses these challenges by establishing shared technical infrastructures, developing standards and concepts, and providing a comprehensive range of advisory and training services in the field of research data management.

The initiative is closely integrated into national and international networks, including the National Research Data Infrastructure (NFDI), the international network EUT+ and the nationwide information portal. HeFDI is supported by eleven Hessian universities and coordinated by Philipps University of Marburg. The initiative is funded by the Hessian Ministry of Science and the Arts (HMWK).

Milestones achieved

Since its launch in 2016, HeFDI has achieved numerous successes:

• Adoption of research data management (FDM) guidelines at almost all participating universities
• Establishment of local research data service centres offering advice, training and initial legal guidance
• Establishment of institutional research data repositories at all partner universities
• Introduction of the collaboratively operated tool RDMO (Research Data Management Organiser)
• Over 300 documented FDM consultations as early as 2019
• Development of a wide range of training programmes such as the
  • HeFDI Data School,
  • HeFDI Code School,
  • HeFDI Data Week and
  • the HeFDI self-study module as an Open Educational Resource
• Successful participation in collaborative projects such as FOKUS, as well as awards in the‘Science in the Digital Age’ competition
• Launch of the HeFDI-ELN-Service satellite project to develop a state-wide electronic laboratory notebook

What’s next?

Even beyond the formal project duration, the exchange between the partner universities will continue, and established event formats and information services are to be continued in principle.

At the same time, the future funding and coordination of HeFDI have not yet been clarified. Against the backdrop of the tight budgetary situation and the cuts envisaged under the Hessian Higher Education Pact, key research data management structures face considerable challenges.

Yet the project’s track record to date clearly demonstrates that HeFDI makes a significant contribution to the quality, sustainability and reusability of research in Hesse. Research data management is no longer merely an additional service, but a fundamental prerequisite for good scientific practice, eligibility for third-party funding and international compatibility.

To safeguard and further develop the expertise, networks and infrastructure built up over recent years, reliable and long-term funding for HeFDI is essential. Only in this way can research data management at Hessian universities be professionally supported and further strengthened in the long term.