NFDI4Chem: digital solutions for modern chemistry research

NFDI4Chem is the chemistry consortium within the German National Research Data Infrastructure (NFDI) [1], an initiative to systematically manage and make research data FAIR—Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable [2]. The consortium supports the digital transformation of chemistry worldwide by providing community-driven services, tools, and training for sustainable research data management (RDM).

At the core of NFDI4Chem’s service portfolio are domain-specific solutions tailored to the needs of chemical researchers [3]. These include support for a smart lab environment, such as the opensource Electronic Lab Notebooks (ELN) Chemotion, chemistry-specific data repositories, e.g. nmrXiv [5], and a Terminology Service offering standardised ontologies to enhance data interoperability. The consortium also runs a Knowledge Base with best-practice guidance, a Search Service to aid in data discovery, and a Help Desk providing direct support to researchers. NFDI4Chem works closely with partners across Germany and engages actively with international initiatives to ensure compatibility with global standards [3]. This includes collaboration with IUPAC, the Research Data Alliance (RDA), and integration into European efforts such as the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC). ... mehrBy fostering international alignment, NFDI4Chem ensures that data produced within Germany’s chemistry community can be shared and reused globally, facilitating cross-border scientific collaboration. With a strong focus on enabling open science practices, NFDI4Chem empowers researchers to manage and publish their data following the FAIR principles—enhancing reproducibility, accelerating discovery, and laying the foundation for a more connected and data-driven future in chemistry [4].