RItrain-DIGIT
Research Infrastructures (RIs) in all scientific domains face an urgent challenge: how to operate effectively in an increasingly complex and fragmented digital landscape while budgets and human resources remain constrained. The rapid growth of data volumes, the diversity of compute and storage offerings, and the emergence of new paradigms such as AI/ML, federated access, and digital sovereignty create both opportunities and obstacles. Without coordinated support, many RIs struggle to identify the most relevant digital services, access them under diverse policies, and integrate them into sustainable data analysis operations.
RItrain-DIGIT addresses this challenge by uniting digital research infrastructures with thematic RIs across domains in a dedicated DIGIT skill development project. Its long-term vision is a European research ecosystem where RIs can confidently navigate the digital landscape, make informed choices about service adoption, and deliver high-quality, FAIR, and interoperable platforms to their users. The project will implement a comprehensive Training Programme structured into Learning Pathways covering HPC and cloud systems, AI and data techniques, federated access, and IT Service Management.
It will also launch a Mobility Programme to support staff exchanges, enabling knowledge transfer and collaboration across institutions, countries and domains. Building on the EGI e-infrastructure and PRACE ESFRI Landmark of national compute providers, and in close collaboration with other European digital initiatives, RItrain-DIGIT ensures that RI staff gain a holistic understanding of the wider compute and data ecosystem. By combining training, mobility, and continuous feedback, the project builds sustainable competences, reduces fragmentation, and strengthens the capacity of RIs to contribute to Europe’s digital transformation.
EGI Foundation role in the project:
- Project Coordinator
- WP1/WP2 Lead: Project Management and Coordination,
- WP7/8 Lead: Maximising Participation and Impact
- Contributor to:
- WP3, WP4 – Learning Pathways and Training Platform (I/II),
- WP5, WP6 – Training and Mobility Programmes (I/II)
In addition to serving as the Project Coordinator, EGI leads the Work Package dedicated to Communication, Dissemination, and Impact, ensuring effective stakeholder engagement, visibility of project outcomes, and the maximization of the project’s long-term benefits.
Beyond its coordination and communication responsibilities, EGI plays a key role in several technical and capacity-building activities. In particular, it contributes to the design and definition of Learning Pathways, the set-up of the Training Platform for hosting any training resources developed during the project’s lifetime, and the implementation of a comprehensive Training Programme focused on cloud technologies, digital infrastructures, and IT service management. Through these activities, EGI supports skills development, knowledge transfer, and the adoption of best practices across the project community, thereby contributing to the project’s long-term sustainability and impact.
Relevance for EGI:
The proposal addresses two central pillars and strategic priorities outlined in EGI’s 2030 vision:
- Mitigating the digital skills shortage of the RI workforce. By establishing structured Learning Pathways (covering AI, cloud, HPC, and IT service management), the project systematically upskills the workforce of European RIs. This expands the human capacity required to run modern, complex digital ecosystems.
- Enabling the “Compute-Data Continuum” and AI Readiness. The project ensures that RI staff are trained to integrate advanced paradigms like AI/ML workflows and cloud resources into their everyday operations, facilitating the practical implementation of EGI’s compute-data continuum.
Project team
Giuseppe La Rocca is Community Support Team Lead at EGI Foundation.
Malgorzata Krakowian is the Project Management Team Lead at EGI Foundation.
Elia Belussi is a Senior Strategy and Innovation Officer at the EGI Foundation
Anabelle Tumboimbela works as Communications Officer at EGI Foundation
Gwen Franck is a Communications Specialist & Event Manager at the EGI Foundation.
Ignacio Lamata Martinez is the Community Support Specialist at EGI Foundation.
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