What is Elixir?
The RDMkit from Elixir
Last updated
The RDMkit from Elixir
Last updated
The is a community-driven resource designed to help life scientists manage research data more effectively by the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable). Designed to encompass each stage of the research data lifecycle, the RDMkit offers practical methods, tools, and advice for researchers, data managers, and policymakers. However, not every stage will be relevant to everyone.
For Researchers: RDMkit is a one-stop shop for data management guidance, examples, and best practices, including tips on preparing data management plans for grant proposals.
For Data Managers: The kit provides structured, life science–specific resources that can complement institutional services, supporting a consistent approach to research data management.
For Funding Agencies and Policymakers: RDMkit offers evidence-based practices that promote cost-effectiveness and efficiency by enhancing how researchers manage data. It is recommended in the Horizon Europe Program Guide as a reference for “Data Management guidelines and good practices for the Life Sciences.”
At reNEW, both early-career and experienced investigators can utilize RDMkit to enhance their data practices. This resource is especially beneficial for reNEW Data Champions, who assist the broader research community in adhering to FAIR data standards.
Why Are the FAIR Principles Needed?
As life science research generates increasingly large, complex datasets, FAIR principles ensure these datasets remain accessible, reproducible, and interpretable:
Findability: Clear labeling and robust metadata allow other researchers (and machines) to locate relevant data.
Accessibility: Well-managed repositories and standardized formats ensure data remains available over time.
Interoperability: Consistent file formats and metadata standards enable the seamless combination of data across different projects, disciplines, or software tools.
Reusability: Thorough documentation, clear licensing, and version control make it easier to validate or extend previous work.
By applying FAIR principles, reNEW researchers and Data Champions can enhance the visibility, impact, and longevity of their scientific outputs, ultimately benefiting both local teams and the broader life sciences community.
What Does the RDMkit Aim to Achieve?
RDMkit is designed to help researchers:
Plan and Document: Provide robust Data Management Plans (DMPs) and continuous documentation, meeting funder requirements (e.g., Horizon Europe).
Improve Efficiency: Access targeted tools and workflows, reducing the time spent on data wrangling and allowing for a greater focus on experimental or analytical tasks.
Enhance Collaboration: Share standardized data more easily among colleagues and across institutions, driving multidisciplinary innovation.
Support Sustainable Practices: Adopt workflows that minimize duplication of effort, increase reproducibility, and optimize data storage costs.
For reNEW’s Data Champions, the RDMkit offers authoritative examples and resources that can be adapted into local training sessions, workflows, or institutional guidelines.
Funding Acknowledgement
How to Cite the RDMkit
Whenever referencing RDMkit materials in proposals, publications, or internal guidelines, please use the following citation:
Why This Matters for reNEW
By leveraging the RDMkit:
Compliance: Researchers align with increasingly stringent funder mandates for FAIR data and open science.
Efficiency: Data Champions can streamline reNEW-specific data workflows, ensuring that best practices are embedded into day-to-day research activities.
Impact: High-quality data management boosts reproducibility and fosters collaborations, raising the global profile of reNEW’s research.
For further questions, reNEW Data Champions and researchers are encouraged to consult the RDMkit’s continuously updated materials and engage with the ELIXIR community for specialized guidance.
RDMkit was developed within the project, which received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under grant agreement No. 871075. The ELIXIR community sustained its ongoing maintenance and updates, reflecting the collective expertise of life scientists and data specialists.
RDMkit: The ELIXIR Research Data Management toolkit for Life Sciences URL:
All software components are released under the MIT license, while text and data content are provided under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) license. Visit the for full licensing details.