> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://data-champions.renew-platforms.dk/renew-data-champions/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://data-champions.renew-platforms.dk/renew-data-champions/fair-principles/fair-principles/fair-and-open-science-resource.md).

# FAIR Roadmap

FAIR Roadmap - Life Sciences Focus

## FAIR Resources - Life Sciences Focus

<table data-header-hidden><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th width="187"></th><th width="182"></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Category</strong></td><td><strong>Purpose</strong></td><td><strong>Key Open Resources</strong></td><td><strong>Strengths</strong></td><td><strong>Limitations / Caveats</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Data &#x26; Metadata Standards</strong></td><td>Define interoperable formats and metadata schemas for research data</td><td><strong>OME-TIFF, OME-Zarr, Bio-Formats, MIABIS (biobanking), MIAME (microarray), REMBI (Recommended Metadata for Biological Images), RO-Crate</strong></td><td>Ensure data is <strong>FAIR</strong> (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable); community-agreed best practices</td><td>Adoption varies; may require technical expertise; incomplete metadata often limits reusability</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Repositories – Bioimaging</strong></td><td>Public deposition of raw image datasets</td><td><strong>BioImage Archive (EMBL-EBI), IDR (Image Data Resource), EMPIAR (EM), Cell Image Library</strong></td><td>Long-term archiving, DOI assignment, policy compliance; accessible by global community</td><td>Requires metadata curation; submission can be complex</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Repositories – Other Life Sciences</strong></td><td>Public deposition of datasets beyond imaging</td><td><strong>ArrayExpress (transcriptomics), GEO (Gene Expression Omnibus), PRIDE (proteomics), ENA (nucleotides), dbGaP (controlled genomic data)</strong></td><td>Trusted by funders; enables cross-disciplinary data reuse</td><td>Different submission rules; genomic data often restricted</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Data Management &#x26; Infrastructure</strong></td><td>Institutional / collaborative systems for storing, managing, and serving research data</td><td><strong>OMERO (images), Dataverse, CKAN, eLabFTW (ELN), ERDA (UCPH), Zenodo (general-purpose OA repository)</strong></td><td>Control access, integrate metadata, align with FAIR principles</td><td>Requires IT support; learning curve for researchers</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Open Access Publishing</strong></td><td>Dissemination of research outputs under OA models</td><td><strong>Plan S, DOAJ (Directory of Open Access Journals), BioRxiv, Europe PMC, Open Research Europe (EC platform)</strong></td><td>Increases visibility; aligns with funder mandates; rapid dissemination (preprints)</td><td>APC (Article Processing Charges) can be high; quality varies among journals</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Identifiers &#x26; Registries</strong></td><td>Persistent IDs for FAIR data citation &#x26; linking</td><td><strong>DOI (DataCite, CrossRef), ORCID (researcher IDs), ROR (Research Organization Registry), RRID (antibodies, cell lines, resources)</strong></td><td>Ensure unambiguous references; enable machine-actionable links</td><td>Requires adoption at data entry; not always enforced</td></tr><tr><td><strong>FAIR &#x26; Policy Frameworks</strong></td><td>Principles, roadmaps, and governance for FAIR data</td><td><strong>FAIR Principles, EOSC (European Open Science Cloud), RDA (Research Data Alliance), CODATA, GO FAIR</strong></td><td>Community-wide frameworks; guide funders, infrastructures, researchers</td><td>Implementation uneven; FAIR ≠ Open (controlled access allowed)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Training &#x26; Community Networks</strong></td><td>Build researcher capacity, provide best practices, sustain culture change</td><td><strong>NEUBIAS (bioimage analysts), ELIXIR (bioinformatics), FocalPlane, Global BioImaging, Carpentries (data skills), FAIRsharing.org</strong></td><td>Widely used training hubs; community-driven; accessible learning resources</td><td>Limited regional coverage; workshops not always continuous</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Open Science Monitoring &#x26; Impact</strong></td><td>Track uptake, compliance, and engagement with FAIR/Open Science</td><td><strong>OpenAIRE (European OA infrastructure), Altmetric, OpenAlex, Dimensions (open citation graphs)</strong></td><td>Evidence of impact, adoption, and policy compliance</td><td>Metrics can be biased (field-dependent); qualitative impact harder to capture</td></tr></tbody></table>

***

## Key Insights

* **Bioimaging-specific FAIR resources** sit at the intersection of **OME standards** (data formats), **OMERO** (infrastructure), and **BioImage Archive / IDR / EMPIAR** (repositories).
* **Cross-domain resources** like **Zenodo, Dataverse, and CKAN** ensure interoperability with broader FAIR/Open Science practices.
* **Identifiers (DOI, ORCID, ROR)** are crucial to **link datasets ↔ publications ↔ researchers ↔ institutions**, enabling credit and reuse.
* **Training & community networks** (NEUBIAS, Global BioImaging, Carpentries) are just as necessary as the technical tools for sustaining FAIR culture.
* **FAIR ≠ Open**: controlled-access resources (e.g., dbGaP for genomics) remain FAIR if metadata is discoverable.