Equipping ELIXIR Nodes for successful long-term operations
ELIXIR is a distributed research infrastructure where each member state establishes an ELIXIR Node that connects leading institutes and universities, and provides bioinformatics services to the community. The services and scientific focus of ELIXIR Nodes are shaped by local needs and national priorities.
ELIXIR Nodes must be well-coordinated, professionally managed organisations, meeting their national stakeholders' needs by offering high-quality support, expertise and services.
Long-term success for ELIXIR Nodes requires strategic planning, effective communication, community engagement, technological innovation, skilled personnel, adaptability and a commitment to ethical and legal standards.
Nodes often face similar problems. This project provides the structure to share this extensive experience and institutional knowledge. It will provide tools and knowledge to empower Nodes to better measure their activities and environment, streamline approaches and enable communication.
Activities in the project include:
- Establishing metrics to define Node diversity, organisation and maturity
- Evaluating potential strengths and weaknesses in Node operations
- Enabling alignment with other research infrastructures
- Improving access to information relevant to funding applications and other requests for information from funders and stakeholders, fostering sustainability by ensuring efficient access to crucial resources
- Establishing a light tracking system of references to ELIXIR and its services in national open science policies and research data management policies
- Supporting development of Node RDM strategies that align with EU and national policies, including open science
- Increasing industry engagement at the Node level and establishing a common support strategy across ELIXIR
This project complements tasks in ELIXIR-STEERS, in strengthening and equipping ELIXIR Nodes and Node staff with key organisation, management and training skills and resources.
Ambitions:
- Node operations: Nodes have the operational capabilities to contribute to a European infrastructure for data
- National research and open science policy alignment: Nodes are aligned with national research priorities and open science policies
- Integrating Nodes with industry and innovation: Nodes are fundamental to national industry ecosystems and engage in EU-wide industry efforts
- Demonstrating impact and supporting sustainability: Nodes are empowered and supported in their efforts towards long-term sustainability