NFDI4Biodiversity entered its second funding phase in October 2025. With funding secured through the end of 2028, the Joint Science Conference (GWK) has sent a clear signal: establishing a robust research data infrastructure for biodiversity is a long-term national priority.
For GFBio e.V., a core partner in the consortium, this marks the beginning of a new phase focused on consolidation, further development and the long-term integration of services and infrastructure. GFBio contributes its expertise particularly in consortium coordination, the further development of core data infrastructures and research data services, training and user support, as well as strategic communications.
Making biodiversity research data accessible and reusable
NFDI4Biodiversity is one of 26 discipline-specific consortia within the National Research Data Infrastructure (NFDI), a joint initiative of Germany's federal and state governments that aims to systematically develop, connect and sustainably preserve research data for long-term use.
This mission is particularly important in biodiversity research. Data are generated in highly diverse contexts, exist in a wide variety of heterogeneous formats, and often need to be integrated across institutions, disciplines and research domains. Only when research data are findable, standardised, interoperable and readily reusable can they realise their full potential for advancing both scientific research and biodiversity conservation—at national and international levels alike.
Strong momentum following an outstanding evaluation
The second funding phase builds on the success of the consortium's first project phase (2020–2025). During the scientific review conducted by the German Research Foundation (DFG), NFDI4Biodiversity was recognised as being "highly relevant to the scientific community."
The reviewers particularly highlighted the consortium's "outstanding momentum in mobilising and providing biodiversity data," its "highly successful" engagement with the research community, and an organisational structure described as "excellent" and "exemplary." This assessment is especially significant because it confirms the quality of the consortium's coordination and governance structures—an area to which GFBio made a major contribution during the first funding phase and one that the association will continue to shape in the years ahead.
Reliable research data services throughout the research lifecycle
A major focus of the second funding phase is the further expansion and wider adoption of research data services. Here, GFBio builds directly on its long-standing expertise in research data management by operating and continuously developing a suite of core services that support every stage of the research data lifecycle. These include the Helpdesk, Knowledge Base, Data Submission Service, a data discovery portal, and a Data Management Planning service. Together, these services are designed to help researchers navigate research data management, support the structured organisation of their data, and ultimately allow them to spend less time on data administration and more time on research.
During the second funding phase, the consortium will focus on making these services more user-friendly, better integrated and more scalable. At the same time, it aims to increase their uptake across the community while ensuring that the associated workload for data submitters, data curators and Data Management Plan Officers remains manageable.
GFBio also plays a central organisational role in this area. As Co-Lead of Task Area 1, Measure 5 (User Support), the association contributes its expertise in designing and continuously improving community-oriented support structures, including the Helpdesk, the public Knowledge Base and user support workflows. In addition, it is responsible for closely integrating the consortium's Data Management Planning service with its broader advisory and support structures.
Technical infrastructure for connected and reusable data
Alongside research data services, the underlying technical infrastructure is another key focus of the second funding phase. Within the Research Data Commons, data, tools and workflows are brought together to enable the creation, sharing and long-term reuse of community-driven data products.
GFBio plays a leading role in this effort. Together with the Gesellschaft für wissenschaftliche Datenverarbeitung mbH Göttingen (GWDG), the association co-leads Task Area 4 (Research Data Commons). In doing so, GFBio contributes its expertise in software development, systems architecture and service integration to one of the consortium's central infrastructure components.
Its responsibilities include providing technical support for community-driven data products, developing and integrating analysis and data harmonisation pipelines, delivering both user-facing and technical services, and further developing a robust architectural and policy framework for operating the Research Data Commons. In this way, GFBio helps ensure that technical developments remain closely aligned with community needs, the consortium's existing services, and relevant developments across the National Research Data Infrastructure as a whole.
Advancing data quality, standards and interoperability
Ensuring that research data remain valuable over the long term requires clear quality standards and a high degree of interoperability. Accordingly, the second funding phase places a strong emphasis on advancing data quality, strengthening interoperability and improving local research data management structures.
In this area, GFBio serves as Co-Lead of Task Area 3, Measure 2 (Strengthening Local Research Data Management). The objective is to strengthen tools and organisational structures that support the early stages of the research data lifecycle while improving their integration with the consortium's central infrastructure services.
GFBio contributes both conceptual and technical expertise—for example, by further developing tools for semantic annotation and integrating them into existing systems. At the same time, internationally recognised standards continue to be incorporated into the consortium's services, improving the interoperability and long-term usability of biodiversity research data.
Expanding data literacy and strengthening the community
A successful research infrastructure depends not only on technical solutions but also on the people who use, develop and champion them within their respective communities. Training and support tailored to the needs of researchers and other user groups therefore remain a key priority.
GFBio serves as Co-Lead of Task Area 1, Measure 4 (Training and Education), drawing on experience gained through numerous projects and collaborations beyond NFDI4Biodiversity. These include WiNoDa, FAR-DSI, and the NFDI consortia NFDI4Objects, NFDI4Earth and DataPLANT.This broad network feeds directly into the development of scalable training formats, including train-the-trainer programmes, educational materials based on established initiatives such as fd-next and The Carpentries, as well as formats including Seasonal Schools and hackathons.
In doing so, GFBio not only strengthens data literacy within the biodiversity research community but also helps establish multiplier networks that promote effective knowledge transfer across the wider scientific landscape.
Coordination as the foundation of a growing network
With around 60 partner institutions and approximately 20 Measures, NFDI4Biodiversity will expand significantly during its second funding phase. Effective coordination is therefore more than a supporting function—it is essential to ensuring that the consortium can operate successfully as an integrated whole.
GFBio plays a central role in this regard. Together with the consortium's spokesperson institution, the University of Bremen and MARUM – Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, the association leads project management as Lead of Task Area 5, Measure 1. At the same time, GFBio serves as Co-Lead of Task Area 5, which focuses on coordination, collaborative governance and sustainability. In addition, it is Co-Lead of Task Area 5, Measure 3, which is responsible for integrating the consortium within the wider NFDI landscape and ensuring the long-term sustainability of its organisational structures.
These responsibilities include coordinating activities across partners and Measures, organising committees and decision-making processes, providing digital collaboration tools, and fostering close collaboration with other NFDI consortia, committees, sections and cross-consortium initiatives.
Communication as the key to visibility and engagement
Research infrastructures and services can only realise their full potential if they are not only available to the community but also visible, accessible and trusted. Within NFDI4Biodiversity, communication therefore plays a strategic role: it connects technical infrastructure with the people who use it and is essential for ensuring that services are understood, adopted and embedded in everyday research practice.
GFBio has actively shaped this approach from the very beginning. At the start of the first funding phase, the consortium appointed a science journalist to establish and coordinate its central communications activities. The aim was—and continues to be—to make the often complex topics surrounding biodiversity data, research data management and the National Research Data Infrastructure accessible, engaging and relevant for a wide range of audiences.
Building on this foundation, the consortium developed a clear communications strategy during the first funding phase, together with a consistent visual identity, well-defined target audience profiles, and a coordinated portfolio of communication formats and channels. Rather than simply documenting project activities, communications have focused on producing editorially curated, contextualised and audience-specific content that helps users understand not only what the consortium does, but also why its work matters.
This approach has played a key role in establishing NFDI4Biodiversity as a visible and trusted point of contact for biodiversity data while firmly embedding the consortium's services within the research community. Formats such as the project website, the news blog and targeted communication campaigns have become more than information channels—they serve as interfaces connecting research infrastructure, scientific practice and the broader community.
During the second funding phase, these activities will be further expanded and strategically strengthened. GFBio leads Task Area 5, Measure 2 (Communications Office), bringing together the consortium's communication activities within a central unit that is closely integrated with its scientific and technical work.
The goal is to further increase the visibility of the consortium's achievements, encourage the uptake of its services, and empower researchers to communicate both their work and the underlying research data more effectively and professionally.
Looking ahead: Building a sustainable infrastructure with lasting impact
As NFDI4Biodiversity enters its second funding phase, the consortium continues its evolution towards a mature, widely adopted and sustainably operated research data infrastructure for biodiversity, ecology and environmental data. The focus now shifts increasingly towards integration, scalability, user adoption and the long-term sustainability of its services and organisational structures.
GFBio will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping this development. Through its leadership in consortium coordination, its responsibility for key infrastructure and communication activities, the operation and continuous development of core services, and its contributions to training, user support, quality assurance and integration within the National Research Data Infrastructure, the association will remain one of the consortium's driving forces. By combining organisational, technical and communication expertise, GFBio helps ensure that NFDI4Biodiversity is not only able to grow, but also to deliver lasting value to biodiversity research and research data management in Germany and beyond.
Stay up to date
To stay informed about the latest developments across the NFDI4Biodiversity network, subscribe to our community mailing list and follow us on LinkedIn.