CDIF4EOSC
The distinct approach of the CDIF4EOSC project is to build on the Cross-Domain Interoperability Framework (CDIF). Initially produced by the EC-funded WorldFAIR project, CDIF is a global, discipline-agnostic and extensible framework for implementing FAIR and achieving interoperability. It comprises a set of profiles, guidelines and worked examples developed to address clearly defined functional requirements of FAIR integration. The project will extend the CDIF recommendations, adding profiles and guidelines, and use case based examples, to form a comprehensive and actionable playbook for FAIR Integration in EOSC and beyond. A playbook is a practical, step-by-step guide: in this case providing detailed and comprehensive online guidance built around specific needs and use cases, recommendations on which standards to use, how to implement them, with worked examples. A number of good examples exist of the playbook approach, which is growing in popularity because of its utility for implementers. These include the ODIS book, the Turing Way, ELIXIR Galaxy Training, NIH Playbook, the ELIXIR FAIRCookBook, and to some extent, RDMkit.
EGI Foundation role in the project:
In the CDIF4EOSC, EGI plays a central role as an interoperability hub and co-leads two strategic work packages:
- WP4 – FAIR Integration with EOSC Nodes and EU Data Spaces:
EGI ensures alignment with the SIMPL framework as the secure and standard-based integration layer. It leads requirements mapping (Task 4.1) and the LOTS interoperability work (Task 4.3), addressing Legal, Organisational, Technical, and Semantic aspects of data exchange between EOSC Nodes and European Data Spaces. EGI also contributes to pilots with the Green Deal Data Space (GDDS) and the **Common European Agricultural Data Space (CEADS). - WP6 – Integration of CDIF4EOSC, Tools and Services for EOSC Federation:
EGI leads the development of the Technical Integration Guide and Adoption Matrix (Task 6.1), coordinates stakeholder engagement and consultations (Task 6.3), and is responsible for defining governance options and sustainability models for the long-term adoption of the CDIF4EOSC Playbook (Task 6.4).
Across the project, EGI contributes its long-standing expertise in federated infrastructures, AAI (Authentication and Authorisation Infrastructure), policy and governance frameworks, and scalable service integration. Its involvement ensures that CDIF4EOSC outputs are not only technically robust but also operationally feasible and sustainable within the EOSC Federation and Data Spaces ecosystem.
Relevance for EGI:
- Streamlining Node Onboarding & Integration: The project directly delivers a more efficient, streamlined onboarding process for federated resources, making it significantly easier to connect EGI’s distributed nodes with emerging European Data Spaces.
- Reducing Operational Overhead: By introducing standardized metadata and data quality descriptions, the project reduces the day-to-day operational overhead required for EGI to support advanced, cross-domain FAIR data across its computing and storage endpoints.
- Boosting Infrastructure Capability through AI: Integrating the project’s AI-assisted tools into EGI platforms drastically increases the machine-actionability of ingestion and data processing workflows, paving the way for automated, scalable data linkage.
- Elevating Federated Service Value: Implementing the CDIF4EOSC Playbook injects higher value-add services into the infrastructure ecosystem, directly boosting the perceived value and utility of the entire federation for researchers and innovators.
- Reinforcing EGI’s Position as a Central Hub: Active leadership in defining the technical integration pathways, data space bridges, and future governance models reinforces EGI’s long-standing role as a vital, sustainable interoperability anchor for the European Research Area.
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