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CDF Newsletter #2

Read about the latest CDF updates, events, RDM tips & tricks & more!
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1. Upcoming Events & Training

LOVE DATA Week · 09–13 February 2026

LOVE DATA Week is an international celebration of good data practices. From 9 to 13 February 2026, the University of Freiburg will join the event with a range of local activities organized by the CDF. Look forward to talks, demos, and community events all centered on the value of responsible data handling. A dedicated email with the full program will follow.

More information and registration on the CDF event page

NFDI Demo Session on DMPs & SMPs

The National Research Data Infrastructure (NFDI) is a Germany-wide initiative that develops standards, tools, and services to make research data more accessible, interoperable, and sustainable across disciplines.

We would like to highlight an upcoming NFDI event: a demo session focused on Data Management Plans (DMPs) and Software Management Plans (SMPs). This session offers a hands-on introduction to tools and best practices developed within the NFDI community, perfect for researchers and project teams looking to improve the planning, documentation, and sustainability of their data and software workflows.

More details and registration on the NFDI Event page

2. News & Updates from the CDF

RDM Representatives Meeting

The CDF continues to strengthen the research data community at the University of Freiburg (UFR). Each faculty and research unit has appointed a dedicated contact person for research data management (RDM) - and in January, we brought these representatives together for the very first time.

The meeting offered a space to connect, exchange experiences, and learn more about the mission of the CDF and how the representatives can actively contribute to advancing UFR’s RDM strategy. The positive energy and shared commitment made it clear: our growing RDM network is becoming a powerful driver of research excellence.

Data Stewardship Meeting

Also in January, we hosted the 6th Data Stewardship Meeting, an open forum for all researchers supporting data management across UFR. The event once again proved to be an inspiring platform for sharing practical insights, discussing challenges, and jointly shaping a forward-looking approach to data stewardship. The strong turnout highlights the increasing importance of professional data management in fostering high-quality and responsible research.

The next Data Steward meeting will be held in March/April, keep an eye on the CDF events page.

3. CDF Services & Offerings

CDF Knowledge Base

The CDF Knowledge Base brings together essential information on research data management, the UFR service catalogue, and tools for data handling, analysis, and management. By connecting these different puzzle pieces, we create a clear and comprehensive picture of the RDM landscape at UFR - making it easier for researchers to find exactly the guidance they need.

Text Paragraphs for Grant Proposals

Writing the RDM section of a grant proposal can be challenging - so let us help. The CDF provides ready-to-use guidance, descriptions of the relevant infrastructure, and tailored support to design a data management plan that fits your project perfectly. Reach out to us early and we’ll help you strengthen the RDM part of your proposal.

Helpdesk & Open Hour

Got a question about data or research data management? Join the CDF Open Hour! Every Friday from 11:00 to 11:30, our team is available online to answer your questions and point you to the right resources. Drop in anytime - no registration needed.

Customized Workshops

The CDF offers tailored workshops on data organization and research data management for collaborative research initiatives such as CRCs or Excellence Clusters. Whether you need an introduction for new team members or a deep dive into project-specific workflows, we’re happy to design a format that fits your needs. Get in touch to learn more!

4. Policies & RDM Best Practices

Policies

The University of Freiburg supports good scientific practice by providing three key policies for researchers: the Policy on the Handling of Research Data, the Open Science Policy, and the Policy on the Use of Generative AI. For collaborative or multi-partner projects, developing a tailored project-specific policy can be an excellent way to ensure shared standards and clarity among all members. The CDF is happy to support you in customizing such a policy and finding practical, project-aligned solutions.

Use Citable Identifiers

Clear and permanent identification is essential in the digital research landscape. Persistent identifiers - such as ORCiD IDs for researchers and DOIs for datasets and digital outputs, ensure findability, traceability, and proper attribution. At the University of Freiburg, FreiDok plus serves as the institutional repository, publication platform, university bibliography, and research documentation system. Through its integration with ORCiD, users can authenticate seamlessly, display their ORCiD ID in their profile, and even import or export publications between FreiDok plus and ORCiD. This ensures reliable linking of people, institutions, and research outputs across the scientific ecosystem.

Read more about Persistent Identifiers on the UB webpage.

RDM Tips & Tricks

Good research data management can make your daily work smoother, more efficient, and far more future-proof. In each newsletter, we share a few practical tips to help you stay organized.

Basics & Organization

  1. Use descriptive - not creative - file names

    Skip the classic final_final_2. Instead, use clear and informative names such as: 2025-03-12_ProjectX_Analysis01_v1.xlsx

  2. Keep folder structures simple (max. 2–3 levels)

    A clean structure saves time and nerves. For example:

    • /ProjectName/Data/Raw/
    • /ProjectName/Data/Clean/
    • /ProjectName/Code/

  3. Always include a README

    Add a short text file that explains what the folder contains, which formats are used, where the data comes from, and any special notes. Your future self and your collaborators will thank you.

Culture & Teamwork

  • Establish minimal team standards. A one-page “RDM code” with rules for naming, folder structure, metadata, and backups.
  • Frame RDM as a time-saver, not a chore. Show other researchers that good RDM prevents headache later – that`s usually enough motivation.

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