The DFG invites the research communities to participate in the further development of the overall system of scientific information infrastructures and has launched a strategic dialogue process on challenges and possible solutions.

In January 2025, the DFG published the discussion paper "Digital Research Practice and Cooperative Information Infrastructures"(Download), in which it analyses overarching challenges and identifies fields of action in the establishment and expansion of scientific information infrastructures and their long-term operation. As a key prerequisite for excellent research in the digital age, the paper describes a system of information infrastructures that is aligned with the needs of the research community and is to be continuously developed and coordinated across regions. In order to achieve this, it argues that:

1. the technical, organisational and social compatibility of information infrastructures and digital objects is to be improved,
2. the collaborative development and joint operation of information infrastructures is to be further encouraged through appropriate incentives, and
3. the reusability and sustainable operation of research-related information infrastructures is to be ensured over the long term.
    

Scientific information infrastructures are understood as technically and organisationally networked services and offerings for accessing and preserving data, information and knowledge. Primarily serving research purposes, they are often the subject of research themselves and always perform an enabling function. They potentially make an important contribution to the digital sovereignty of research and should ideally be maintained by the research community, be freely accessible to it, and be developed and further enhanced through cooperation between researchers and information infrastructure institutions.

Please also refer to the discussion paper(Download) and the RfII position paper on research data management and information infrastructures in Germany(externer Link) (Leistung aus Vielfalt).

The DFG seeks to address these complex and multifaceted challenges not only through its funding portfolio but also by calling for a collective effort to advance the overall system of information infrastructures. To this end, it has initiated a cross-system dialogue process in which the issues outlined above can be addressed constructively, along with additional topics. All stakeholders involved in the system of scientific information infrastructures – including researchers, institutions that operate information infrastructures, research funding organisations and science policy actors – are invited and encouraged to participate in this dialogue process and contribute their expertise, experience and needs. The central objectives of the dialogue process are not only to discuss overarching challenges and possible solutions but also to clarify responsibilities and roles and to broaden perspectives on emerging issues. 

Since the publication of the discussion paper, extensive feedback has been received by the lead Committee on Scientific Library Services and Information Systems (AWBI) and the Scientific Library Services and Information Systems division. Based on this feedback, four preliminary thematic priorities have been identified, for which dialogue formats are currently being prepared. The dialogue is deliberately designed as an open process, so participants are welcome to put forward further suggestions and ideas relating to the thematic priorities, the overall process and additional topics at any time.

Thematic priorities

The following thematic priorities have been identified:

• Mapping of Information Infrastructures
• Increasing Integration of Research and Information Infrastructures
• Long-term Funding of Information Infrastructures
• Obstacles to Cooperation Due to Structural Differences: Focus on Object Collections