Research generates knowledge, produces and processes data. Concepts must be developed and implemented to ensure coordinated interaction between research information systems and research data management infrastructures using digital technologies.

To tackle these challenges, a number of Austrian universities have joined forces with the FWF, FFG and WWTF in the "Cluster Research Data" as part of the "Digital Transformation in Higher Education" call for proposals published in 2019 by the Federal Ministry for Women, Science and Research (BMFWF, formerly: Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research, BMBWF) and launched the three funded projects "RIS Synergy", "FAIR Data Austria" and "Austrian DataLAB and Services" in 2020.

As part of the cluster's ongoing development as an information hub and networking platform, there has been a minor rebranding: “Cluster Forschungsdaten” has been renamed the “Cluster Research+Data”. This was done with a view to highlighting the diverse range of topics covered by this broad-based national network for (digital) research support services and support structures.

Numerous projects and working groups are active under the Cluster Research+Data. Tools and services are continuously being developed and made available to the Austrian research community. As a networking platform and hub, the Cluster Research+Data plays a central role in the national research landscape.

The people behind the Cluster Research+Data: 

Coordination: 

Dipl.-Ing. Sabine Neff-Kolassa, MSc; research information systems, TU Wien

Management: 

Mag.a rer.soc.oec. Ulrike Hicker, research information systems, TU Wien

Dr. in Alexandra Linster, research information systems, TU Wien

Board: 

Dipl.-Ing. Sabine Neff-Kolassa, MSc; Forschungsinformationssysteme, TU Wien

Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn. Bakk.techn. Ilire Hasani-Mavriqi; research data management, TU Graz

Michael Redinger, MA; Central IT service, Universität Innsbruck

Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Raman Ganguly; IT-Support for Research, Universität Wien