In the dynamic landscape of research data management, it is vital to ensure support and shared practices for digital repositories in their journey to trustworthiness. Supporting the wider goals of EOSC Federation, the FIDELIS TDR Network is a pan-European initiative conceived to strengthen the ecosystem of repositories by developing common frameworks for repository policies and workflows.
The FIDELIS Network has rapidly evolved into a vibrant community of cross-domain repositories since its official launch on 16 April 2025. The membership is currently provisional and free until January 2027, offering repositories an opportunity to engage early, influence governance structures, and co-shape the Network’s development.
Members benefit from a range of support offers, with some members participating in the current pilot support offer. They will have access to tools, methodologies, policy frameworks, peer-exchange opportunities, and tailored training programmes designed to enhance trustworthiness and FAIR-enabling capacities.
A Growing Community Shaping the EOSC Federation
The Network's first member meeting, held on 1 July 2025, gathered more than forty institutions across Europe to discuss key themes such as long-term preservation, trustworthiness, and alignment with the EOSC framework. Building on this momentum, the second meeting on 9 September 2025 focused on strategic planning, governance, and business models for sustainable collaboration. The latest meeting was held on 28 October 2025, further refining potential membership options and offering a discussion on the latest EOSC Federation Handbook.
The EOSC Federation Handbook offers an overview of the organisational, operational and technical characteristics of the EOSC Federation. For FIDELIS TDR Network, the Handbook is of utmost importance as a foundational document for repositories and services looking to contribute to the EOSC Federation.
Nevertheless, the FIDELIS TDR Network calls for a more structured dialogue, going beyond the traditional feedback mechanisms. This dialogue would also enable better guidance and comprehension of requirements for repositories to enter or remain a part of the EOSC Federation.
Trusted Repositories as the Foundation of FAIR Data
In order to offer the most comprehensive support to those delivering FAIR Data, the EOSC Federation has to consider TDRs as the linchpin of such activities. Not only do TDRs maintain the FAIR characteristics over time, but they also offer valuable knowledge and lessons learned about what requirements and support mechanisms are necessary for comprehensive development of EOSC Federation.
Today, the FIDELIS Network already brings together over fifty provisional members from twenty diverse countries and a range of scientific domains: the social sciences, physical sciences, and multidisciplinary repositories, and others. Therefore, Network members demonstrate the strong and growing commitment of Europe’s digital repositories to work collectively towards a trustworthy, interoperable research data landscape.
The FIDELIS Network emerges as a timely and important initiative in the European open science landscape. By focusing squarely on trustworthy digital repositories, FAIR-enabling practices, coordination and sustainability, it provides a much-needed infrastructure layer that supports both repositories and the broader research ecosystem.
Moreover, by engaging proactively with the EOSC Federation Handbook, recognising its value, providing feedback, and calling for structured dialogue, the Network signals its commitment not merely to participation, but to shaping the terms of participation in a federated future.
Now is a moment of opportunity: for repositories to strengthen their practices, for EOSC to create inclusive and actionable guidance, and for networks such as FIDELIS to bridge the two. The vision of a resilient, interoperable, and federated European data infrastructure is increasingly within reach – provided the pieces come together with clarity, coordination, and realism.
Trust-IT's Role
Pillar 5, led by Trust-IT, plays a central role in bringing together all other pillar activities through strategic communication, outreach, and stakeholder engagement. As the driving force behind the project’s visibility and impact, Trust-IT ensures effective communication to the widest possible audience, raising awareness of project activities and outcomes.
Whether coordinating and promoting the establishment of the TDR Network, or supporting mentoring, training, and open call processes with full transparency, Trust-IT ensures that all interactions are clear, inclusive, and impactful. Pillar 5 also sets up mechanisms for continuous dialogue with the EOSC Partnership and the broader community of data-intensive projects. Contributions from DANS-KNAW, CSC, and CESSDA further strengthen this collaborative effort.
Join the FIDELIS TDR Network: https://eden-fidelis.eu/fidelis-network-tdrs
