This page draws on presentations and portfolio discussions from the Finland edition of the ELIXIR Node Data Management Strategy (NDMS) module in 2023. The original training materials are available through the ELITMa Finland workshop materials.
The workshop showed that Nodes can be in quite different situations when considering how Research Data Management (RDM) services are supported over time. Examples discussed included project funding, institutional contributions and structural public funding. Longer-term arrangements were not always fully defined.
Why is this relevant?
RDM services may be supported in different ways, and the model can change over time.
Some activities may depend on time-limited projects. Others may receive institutional or structural funding. In practice, several sources can also be combined.
During the Finland workshop, ELIXIR France and ELIXIR Luxembourg provided examples of these different situations. France described RDM activities supported through projects and institutional contributions, while Luxembourg described structural public funding as part of its context. In both examples, questions about longer-term sustainability were still being developed.
What can Nodes learn from this?
The workshop examples illustrate several approaches that may contribute to sustaining RDM support.
Project-based funding
Projects can provide funding for developing or delivering RDM activities over a defined period. ELIXIR France discussed project funding as an important part of its current and short-to-mid-term situation.
Institutional contributions
RDM activities can also be supported through contributions from the institutions involved in a Node. ELIXIR France described institutional contributions alongside project funding.
Structural public funding
Some activities may be supported through more structural public funding. ELIXIR Luxembourg described structural funding from the Luxembourg Ministry of Higher Education as part of its short-to-mid-term funding situation.
A combination of approaches
One funding source does not necessarily cover everything. Different sources may support different activities or periods, while the longer-term model continues to develop.
The workshop examples did not point to one model that all Nodes should follow. Instead, they showed that sustainability can look different depending on the national and institutional context.
What can you do?
Look at how your current RDM activities are supported.
Which activities depend on project funding? Which have institutional or structural support? Are several sources combined? And which activities still need a longer-term solution?
Making these differences visible can help you see where continuity is already supported and where sustainability still needs attention.