Open Science Plan-Track-Assess Pathways

Project Information

OSTrails

Grant agreement ID: 101130187

DOI

10.3030/101130187

EC signature date 27 October 2023

Start date 1 February 2024

End date 31 January 2027

Funded under

• Research infrastructures

Total cost

€ 7 274 147,50

EU contribution

€ 7 274 147,50

Coordinated by

OPENAIRE AMKE
Greece

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - OSTrails (Open Science Plan-Track-Assess Pathways)

Reporting period: 2024-02-01 to 2025-07-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Despite widespread endorsement of Open Science and FAIR principles, critical gaps persist: Data Management Plans remain static compliance documents rather than active research tools; Scientific Knowledge Graphs operate in isolation, hindering comprehensive research assessment; and fragmented FAIR assessment tools produce incomparable results emphasizing judgment over guidance.

OSTrails addresses these interconnected challenges through four strategic objectives:
O1 – Design: Establish the OSTrails Interoperability Reference Architecture (OSTrails-IRA), defining specifications, models, and APIs enabling seamless DMP–SKG–FAIR assessment integration across national and thematic contexts, extending the EOSC Interoperability Framework.
O2 – Implement: Align existing platforms (Argos, DSW, DAMAP for DMPs; OpenAIRE Graph, ESFRI catalogues, national CRIS for SKGs; FAIR Evaluator and other assessment tools) to OSTrails-IRA specifications, creating an interoperable ecosystem with reusable resources through the OSTrails Commons.
O3 – Empower: Develop fit-for-purpose assessment frameworks including domain-specific FAIR metrics, a DMP Evaluation Service, and SKG quality tools, transforming assessment from judgment to actionable guidance.
O4 – Adopt: Validate through 24 pilots across 15 national infrastructures and 5 ESFRI Clusters, supported by 16 national funders and ministries, building competence through training, mentorship, and community engagement.

Impact pathway: OSTrails delivers end-to-end solutions enabling researchers to implement FAIR at any lifecycle stage for any digital object, while providing funders and institutions with tools to monitor and improve data management quality. The project responds to the EOSC development, the EC’s €500M Open Science investment and COARA’s call for comprehensive research assessment, lowering barriers through an integrated, guidance-oriented infrastructure of FAIR data and services serving all European regions and scientific disciplines.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Interoperability Specifications Delivered:
The Plan-Track-Assess Interoperability Framework (PTA-IF) was co-designed with pilots. The FAIRness Reference Model defines assessment criteria for eight digital object types with universal and domain-specific profiles co-developed with five ESFRI Clusters. The maDMP Interoperability Framework extends RDA’s DMP Common Standard for real-time information exchange between repositories and knowledge graphs. The SKG Interoperability Framework specifies metadata schemas and APIs federating previously isolated systems. All specifications are publicly available, under EOSC-A review, and forming the basis of the RDA maDMP API Working Group.

Platforms Enhanced:
Four DMP platforms (DSW, Argos, DAMAP, Sikt) serving 18,000+ users now implement extended maDMP models. Nine Knowledge Graphs (OpenAIRE Graph, ESFRI catalogues, national CRIS) share common metadata enabling initial exchanges. Six FAIR assessment tools are harmonized under a benchmark environment. The DMP Evaluation Service prototype validates plans by linking PIDs to deposits, while the SKG Quality Toolbox defines authoritative annotation methods improving content quality.

Validation Initiated:
Fifteen national pilots created scenarios and began applying country-specific templates. Nine thematic pilots identified domain requirements and initiated enhancements. The Horizon Europe pilot analysed DMP patterns across EC projects, providing the first large-scale compliance evidence. Seven hackathons addressed FAIR assessment guidance, maDMPs, SKGs, and FAIR-IF, engaging service providers and domain experts. The OSTrails Mentorship Programme launched with 52 mentees from 19 countries, guided by 16 mentors. A training library with modules and resources supports capacity building. OSTrails Commons specifications were finalised, and governance links established with EOSC-A, RDA, and COARA.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

RDA maDMP API Working Group and Manifesto:
OSTrails initiated the RDA Working Group on maDMP APIs — the first international effort to standardize machine-to-machine DMP exchange. Engaging 15 organisations globally, it develops API specifications for active interoperability across research services. The complementary maDMP Community Manifesto, co-signed by funders, infrastructure providers, and institutions from 12 countries, establishes community consensus essential for adoption.

FAIRness Reference Model:
OSTrails created the first comprehensive FAIRness Reference Model extending systematic assessment beyond datasets to publications, software, workflows, protocols, and DMPs. Co-designed with five ESFRI Science Clusters, it defines universal baseline criteria and domain-specific profiles, proving harmonisation and specialisation can coexist. This bridges the gap between generic FAIR principles and practical assessment.

DMP Evaluation Service:
OSTrails developed the first automated service for assessing DMP quality and completeness—previously absent despite mandates. It evaluates plans against structured rubrics and validates claims through linked PIDs, enabling continuous automated evaluation at programme scale.

Plan-Track-Assess Interoperability Framework (PTA-IF):
OSTrails delivered the first operational framework connecting DMP platforms, knowledge graphs, and assessment tools through detailed specifications. Validated across eight national CRIS, nine catalogues, four DMP platforms, and six assessment tools, the PTA-IF offers a blueprint for EOSC Node interconnection, proving federation without centralisation is feasible.

OSTrails Commons:
OSTrails is establishing the Commons as novel infrastructure providing reusable resources that didn't exist before: maDMP templates proven across contexts, domain-specific metric sets co-developed with communities, harmonized assessment tests, software libraries, and implementation documentation. Early adoption evidence shows organizations using these resources significantly reduce implementation time and barriers compared to working from specifications alone, transforming abstract standards into accessible practice.

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