The aim of this call is twofold: firstly, to enhance the active use of NFDI4Health services, and secondly, to provide an evaluation of these services to identify RDM challenges. We provide flexible funding for projects on RDM implementation, which will serve as case studies for learning and exchange within the research community as a whole. It is anticipated that the projects will make extensive use of NFDI4Health services, including the helpdesk, training, and toolbox offerings, in collaboration with the NFDI4Health data stewards.

The projects should address the following objectives:

1. To address specific RDM challenges through the active use of existing NFDI4Health services (e.g. for data analysis purposes).

2. To evaluate NFDI4Health services to determine their usability and acceptability, and to provide recommendations for further development of such services based on experiences made during the project.

Institutions in Germany that use or plan to use NFDI4Health services and that are active in the topical fields of NFDI4Health (e.g. research with and usage of personal health data) are eligible for this call. This includes universities, research institutions, and public health offices. Please note that applications from individual candidates not affiliated with any of these institutions will not be considered.

Financing: Funding for projects is limited to 75% of a researcher (doctoral or equivalent) position (TV-L 13) for up to 30 months.

Project focus: The project needs to address a specific RDM topic (e.g. analysis of health data available at the applicant’s institution) and specify the NFDI4Health services that are planned to be used.

Synergies: It is possible to link the project proposal to an ongoing dissertation or other projects at eligible institutions, as specified above.

Review: Applications will be evaluated by a review board of NFDI4Health.

DFG compliance: All applications have to abide to DFG funding rules (Funding line NFDI300, DFG).

Applicant information:

• Institution name, address

• Responsible applicant (name and position), contact details

• Short description of the institution (max. 100 words)

Project application (in German or English):

a) Summary (max. 300 words)

b) Plain language summary (max. 150 words)

c) Project proposal (max. 5 A4 pages, font 12, 1.5 spaces) with the following sections:

1. Background and research questions

2. Objectives

3. Planned use of NFDI4Health services

4. Previous experience in the field (e.g. links to relevant publications or project reports)

5. Data and methods, including ethical and gender considerations, as applicable

6. Expected results

7. Dissemination plan

8. Detailed work plan with timeline

9. Resource plan

10. References

11. Research partners (if anticipated)

The application should be sent via email as one PDF document.

Regular, short interim reports presented during interactive meetings with NFDI4Health participants

Final project report

Presentation of project results in the form of a workshop for the research community, organised jointly with NFDI4Health

Optional: scientific publications in form of conference abstracts or articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals