CODATA advances global collaboration to improve the availability, usability, and stewardship of research data, promoting Open Science across disciplines.

Research Data Alliance (RDA) develops and implements community-driven infrastructure and best practices to enable open sharing and reuse of data worldwide.

World Data System (WDS) supports trusted scientific data repositories and services, advocating for accessible, high-quality, and reproducible research data.

TOGETHER, THESE FOUNDING ORGANISATIONS ARE INVITING PROPOSALS TO HOST THE SEVENTH EDITION OF IDW IN SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2029.

CONFERENCE OBJECTIVE:

The primary objective of the IDW conference is to bring together a large, representative portion of the global data community. Previous editions have been highly successful in fostering collaboration, innovation, and impact. As the global landscape evolves, the founding organisations seek local partners and venues that can help convey the excitement, mission, and urgency of these times in data science.

PAST AND UPCOMING EDITIONS:

Five editions have taken place to date, and one is scheduled and in preparation:

1. IDW 2016, 11–17 September 2016, Denver, Colorado, USA; attended by 840 data professionals and researchers from all disciplines and from across the globe.
2. IDW 2018, 5–8 November 2018, Gaborone, Botswana; attended by more than 850 international data professionals and researchers.
3. IDW 2022, 20-23 June 2022, Seoul, Republic of Korea; held as a hybrid conference allowing both in-person and virtual participation; attended by 827 participants from 50 countries; 182 attended onsite and 645 online.
4. IDW 2023, 23–26 October 2023, Salzburg, Austria; held as a hybrid conference; attended by 834 delegates from 48 countries; 702 attendees onsite and 132 online. 
5. IDW 2025, 13-16 October 2025, Brisbane, Australia; held as a hybrid conference; attended by 807 delegates from 75 countries; 704 attended onsite and 103 online. 

The edition being prepared:

1. IDW 2027, 20-23 September 2027, Cape Town, South Africa. 

ENGAGEMENT:

International Data Week is a global and inclusive conference, dedicated to strengthening data communities worldwide. The founding organisations are keen to engage with cities and countries where IDW or related meetings have not previously been held. Applications from Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs) are strongly encouraged; proposals from the High Income Economies should show how they will work with the founding organisations to maximise participation from LMICs. Wherever the proposal comes from, it will be important to demonstrate how the partnership will advance the missions of the founding organisations, ensure the impact of IDW, and enhance membership of and engagement with the three organisations.

Applications should demonstrate that local hosts have access to both a suitable physical venue and a virtual conference platform; strong support from local organisations and government; good connections to universities, industry, and research organisations in the country and region; and solid financial support.

CONFERENCE FORMAT: 

IDW 2029 is envisioned as a four-day conference that integrates the activities of a SciDataCon international conference and an RDA Plenary Meeting. IDW includes both research sessions and focused working meetings, as well as broad plenary sessions of general interest. The days before and after each conference will be set aside for the business and governance meetings of CODATA, RDA, and WDS, as well as potentially other co-located meetings.

While the primary purpose of the call for applications is to identify a host for the 2029 edition, applications received may also be considered for the 2031 edition.

APPLICATION PROCESS & DEADLINE

Applications should be sent by email to all of the IDW founding organisation representatives listed below, no later than 2 November 2026, in electronic format following the requirements of and template included in the IDW2029 Call for Applications document. 

Applications should be addressed to all three contacts below:

• Simon Hodson, CODATA Executive Director, at simon[at]codata.org
• Hilary Hanahoe, RDA Secretary General, at hilary.hanahoe[at]rda-foundation.org 
• Meredith Goins, WDS Executive Director, at wds-ipo[at]utk.edu

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	Title: Correction: Building Responsible and Sustainable Open Data Literacy Skills for Early Career Researchers: A Decade of the SoRDS Programme Author: Shaily Gandhi, Steve Diggs, Marcela Alfaro Córdoba, Louise Bezuidenhout, Raphael Cobe, Sara El Jadid, Bianca Peterson, Robert Quick, Hugh Shanahan, Shanmugasundaram Venkataraman, Ekpe Okorafor, Veerle Van den Eynden URL: http://doi.org/10.5334/dsj-2026-019
	Title:  Enabling the Reuse of Personal Data in Research: A Classification Model for Legal Compliance Author: Eduard Mata i Noguera, Ruben Ortiz Uroz, Ignasi Labastida i Juan URL: http://doi.org/10.5334/dsj-2026-018
	Title:  On the Darwin Core Term dwc:habitat, and the Need to Adopt a European Vocabulary Based on NATURA2000 and EUNIS Classifications, with a Comment on International Applicability Author: Roberto Pizzolotto, Fabiola Durante, Wouter Dekoninck URL: http://doi.org/10.5334/dsj-2026-017
	Title:  Certification Frameworks for Scientific Data Repositories: Strengthening Repository Trustworthiness Author: David Castle, Daniela Santos Oliveira, Dale Peters, Claudia Bauzer Medeiros, Ioana Popescu, Devika Madalli, Rebecca Koskela, Meredith Goins, Suzie Allard URL: http://doi.org/10.5334/dsj-2026-016

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The distinct approach of the CDIF4EOSC project (CDIF4EOSC: Developing and implementing the Cross-Domain Interoperability Framework for EOSC) is to build on the Cross-Domain Interoperability Framework (CDIF). 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 the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) and beyond.

This is a remarkable opportunity to extend and refine CDIF, and to furnish EOSC with a comprehensive and implementable guide to interoperability!

Core Objectives

Going beyond the original FAIR principles, CDIF4EOSC will develop a FAIR-by-design approach for creating FAIR digital objects. The overarching objective of the project is to enable FAIR integration by developing the CDIF4EOSC Playbook and situating this at the heart of EOSC practices, and fully integrated in the EOSC Federation.

The project will work closely with three Use Cases on oceans sciences, climate adaptation and safe-and-sustainable by design materials development, develop a suite of AI-assisted FAIRification tools and services and ensure integration with the EOSC Federation, EOSC Nodes and the Common European Data Spaces.

The suite of AI-assisted FAIRification tools and services will accelerate FAIRification at scale and have significant benefits for EOSC and the European Research Area. To maximise impact, targeted steps will be taken to implement the project outputs in EOSC Federation Nodes and Common European Data Spaces.

CDIF4EOSC Kick-Off Meeting 

The partners and participants in the CDIF4EOSC project will hold the project’s formal, internal and Kick-Off Meeting online on Weds 3 June.  More on that soon!  An interim CDIF4EOSC website is already available at https://cdif4eosc.eu and the project’s CORDIS entry can be found here.

Later this month, the benchmark version 1.1 of the CDIF Book will be released alongside a production platform.

An important raft of substantive deliverables will be released at the end of February 2027.  The will comprise, D1.1: charting the roadmap for the CDIF4EOSC Playbook, D2.1 presenting the findings of the Data Quality Work Package, D5.1 outlining the findings of the Use Cases requirements analysis and D6.1, offering a guide for integration and adoption within EOSC.

More on the CDIF4EOSC’s dissemination activities, stakeholder forum and much more soon!  Watch this space!

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El Niño likely to return: the case for early action

Climate models point to a likely return of El Niño by mid-2026. Its strength remains uncertain, but waiting for certainty can increase exposure to avoidable losses. History tells the risks; drought, agricultural collapse, and disease outbreaks, hitting poor and food insecure regions the hardest. Unfortunately, this return arrives with governments and households less resilient than before, and climate change pushing risks further. The priorities should be; turning climate forecasts into actionable ground-level decisions, early financing options, and strengthened coordination across sectors. The window for preparation and long term resilience opportunities is open.

How controlled burns can help save taxpayers billions

Indigenous nations have been clearing underbrush and trees or employing prescribed burns for centuries. A study published in Science confirms what land managers have long argued; preventing wildfires is cheaper than fighting them. Every dollar spent on clearing underbrush and trees, and prescribed burns avoided $3.73 in damage. Yet US federal policy has moved recently in the opposite direction, with suppression prioritised over prevention and one million fewer forest acres with prevention measures adopted in 2025 than 2024. Wildfire prevention can also bring benefits for ecology and recreation, however, not everyone is in support of the tactic.

Tulane researchers say Louisiana could lead global climate adaptation efforts

Louisiana is losing land faster than almost anywhere on Earth. New research published in Nature Sustainability has identified an ancient shoreline roughly 30 miles north of New Orleans, which formed 125,000 years ago when temperatures were just 0.5-1.5°C warmer than preindustrial levels. With global temperatures now approaching that 1.5°C threshold, a similar retreat may already be locked in. The authors are clear in that this does not have to be an inevitable disaster. An early start with planned, managed relocation, can transform retreat into renewal. Sweden’s city of Kiruna, currently relocating 6,000 residents due to mining activity, proves it can be done. The window to plan is open, but it will not stay open for long.

From forecasts to futures: how Ugandan communities are turning early warnings into everyday action

In Uganda’s flood-prone Kamuli and drought-affected Pakwach districts, the Water at the Heart of Climate Action (WHCA) programme is transforming how communities prepare for climate hazards. Launched in 2024, WHCA unites government agencies, the Uganda Red Cross Society, and humanitarian partners to build community-rooted early warning systems. Recognising that “people know their risks better than any map,” the programme began by listening, engaging over 3,000 participants to shape its roadmap. At the heart of the programme is training the community and trusted groups, because “when people hear advice from their church or local radio, they act faster”. Ultimately, WHCA aims to turn early warning into an everyday culture of preparedness, leading the way in learning to live with climate hazards.

Cities are rehearsing for deadly heat. Will it help when disaster comes?

In a tunnel beneath Paris, kept at a cool 18°C, schoolchildren acted to simulate the chaos of a 50°C heatwave. They faked food poisoning from spoiled refrigerated goods and carbon monoxide leaks from emergency generators. Above ground, firefighters and city officials worked through the cascading failures such heat would trigger across power, transport and health systems. The drill led to 50 recommendations now embedded in Paris’ Climate Action Plan, with a few other cities following suite. The lessons learnt being that a heat action plan on paper is not the same as knowing how to execute it under pressure, and residents (not just officials) must be prepared.

The post Disaster Risk Reduction and Open Data Newsletter: May 2026 Edition appeared first on CODATA, Committee on Data of the ISC.

Why disaster risk financing must evolve to meet the climate crisis

Climate-related disasters are increasing in frequency and severity, while global adaptation and resilience finance remains largely reactive and far below estimated needs. Evidence shows finance flows often rise only after disaster losses occur, reinforcing a cycle of response rather than prevention. The analysis highlights mismatches between current adaptation funding and projected requirements, alongside findings that policy uncertainty discourages private investment. Financial instruments such as parametric insurance, catastrophe bonds, and blended finance are used in regions including the Caribbean, Pacific, and parts of Asia, but remain underutilised globally. Examples from Mexico, Indonesia, Kenya, and the Philippines show how pre-arranged disaster risk financing enables faster, more predictable responses to climate shocks.

CDIF4EOSC: watch this space!

CODATA has advanced with the Grant Agreement Preparation process with the European Commission for CDIF4EOSC, a three‑year project aimed at strengthening cross‑domain interoperability within the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC). Building on the existing Cross‑Domain Interoperability Framework, the project will extend recommendations through profiles, guidelines, and use‑case examples to produce an actionable playbook supporting FAIR integration across EOSC and related data spaces. CDIF4EOSC will promote a FAIR‑by‑design approach to digital objects, supported by AI‑assisted FAIRification tools and tested through use cases in ocean science, climate adaptation, and safe and sustainable materials. With a total budget of €8 million, the project brings together a large European consortium and targets direct integration with EOSC Federation Nodes and Common European Data Spaces.

Unlocking the Economic Dividend of Resilience Investment

Resilience spending isn’t just “avoiding future damage”—it can be an economic stimulus right now. Resilience investment is often sold as insurance against tomorrow’s disasters. Tonkin + Taylor says that framing is too narrow—and it slows action when budgets are tight. Instead of counting only “avoided losses” from floods, slips, or coastal inundation, it urges decision-makers to capture the “triple dividend”: preventing damage, unlocking economic and development gains (jobs, growth, business confidence), and delivering social and environmental benefits that accrue even if no disaster strikes. It points to New Zealand’s long history of flood protection, noting assets valued at $3.6b delivering $13b in benefits each year. With public funding constrained, it backs beneficiary‑pays and value‑capture tools, and faster property-level upgrades supported by insurance and low-interest finance.

Systemic risk is the hidden tax on growth: insurance can help

Systemic risk is increasingly shaping economic growth as climate shocks, geopolitical disruption, public‑health crises and technology concentration collide. The article argues these risks often begin invisibly, raising capital costs, discouraging innovation and weakening resilience until they cascade into crises, as COVID‑19 demonstrated. Climate disasters are widening insurance “protection gaps” as coverage retreats in higher‑risk areas, affecting property markets and investment. Supply‑chain shocks and threatened shipping choke points add volatility and inflation pressure, while AI’s reliance on concentrated data centres and semiconductor supply chains creates fragile failure points. The proposed shift positions insurance as a growth stabiliser through risk modelling and risk‑sharing, early warning, incentives for adaptation, and public‑private risk pools.

Building the Market for Resilience: A new opportunity for financial institutions

Insured losses from natural catastrophes have exceeded $100 billion for six straight years. Banks in emerging markets are already seeing the consequences through higher loan defaults, weakened collateral after repeated storms, and uninsured small businesses. Adaptation is no longer primarily a government responsibility, as firms are investing in resilience to protect assets, operations, and supply chains. With resilience solutions markets growing, financial institutions can accelerate the shift by integrating physical climate risk into credit and investment decisions, financing resilience through debt and equity, and using tools like contingent finance and resilience bonds. As more countries publish National Adaptation Plans and clearer taxonomies emerge, early-mover banks could help unlock a $130 billion-a-year resilience financing opportunity by 2030.

AI and drones team up to find climate-resilient wheat

AI and drones are helping wheat breeders find varieties that stay productive as weather becomes more erratic. A 2026 study tracked 64 durum wheat varieties in Mediterranean conditions, comparing irrigated plots with rainfed fields. Drones carrying multispectral and thermal sensors captured early signs of plant stress and moisture, and AI models used that data to predict not only yield but “production stability” across good and bad seasons. The key finding challenges a common assumption: staying green late into the season did not reliably boost yields and could reduce stability. Instead, the most resilient performers showed vigorous early growth and earlier maturation, helping them avoid late-season heat and drought.

How AI’s language barrier limits climate disaster responses

AI is increasingly used by governments and organisations to scan social media for early warning signals during floods, heatwaves and other climate emergencies, but a major blind spot is language as it’s actually used online. Posts often rely on code switching, slang, Pidgin, sarcasm, and locally shared cues of urgency, so an AI trained on western‑centric, standard English data can misread a genuine call for help as casual commentary. That cultural fingerprint in training data can systematically diminish underrepresented voices in developing countries, with real consequences when misinterpretation delays response and puts lives and property at risk. The fix is practical: train and test models on real regional posts, and build systems that recognize cultural context and urgency signals.

Read the full newsletter here

The post Read Now – Disaster Risk Reduction and Open Data Newsletter: April 2026 Edition appeared first on CODATA, Committee on Data of the ISC.

	Title: Open Science, Health Data and Epistemic Harms: A Multidisciplinary Reflection Author: Tatenda Chatikobo, Frances Griffiths, Nikita Hayden, Gary Leeming, Ankita Mishra, Eva Morris, Luca Schirru, Nathanael Sheehan, Andrew Williams, Sharifah Sekalala URL: http://doi.org/10.5334/dsj-2026-015
	Title: FAIR Data Workflow Implementation and Assessment for Ion-Exchange Chromatography in Plasma Science Author:  Robert Wagner, Ron Henkel, Kristina Yordanova, Dagmar Waltemath, Markus M. Becker URL: http://doi.org/10.5334/dsj-2026-014

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Participate in the survey: https://surveys.unesco.org/UNESCO-CODATA-DPTC

The questionnaire takes approximately 10 – 15 minutes to complete.

The deadline to submit your response is 11 May 2026. 

UNESCO, in collaboration with the International Science Council’s Committee on Data (ISC CODATA), has launched a global survey to assess how organizations are implementing data policies for times of crisis, in alignment with open science principles. The survey builds on the Data Policies for Times of Crisis Facilitated by Open Science (DPTC) resources introduced in June 2025 as part of the UNESCO Open Science Toolkit. The toolkit includes a factsheet, a guidance document, and a checklist. These resources are designed to strengthen cross-border crisis data management and to support governments, UN agencies, research institutions, civil protection authorities, and other stakeholders in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from crises.

Mapping implementation and identifying gaps

The survey seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of how organizations are applying the DPTC Toolkit in practice. It explores key dimensions of crisis data governance, including:

• Establishing clear objectives, roles, and responsibilities
• Ensuring availability of adequate resources
• Upholding ethical standards and protecting human rights
• Strengthening data governance, infrastructure, and interoperability
• Promoting collaboration, transparency, and public engagement
• Planning for long-term preparedness and resilience

The findings will serve as a foundational resource to inform future guidance, capacity-building initiatives, and policy development aimed at strengthening responsible and effective data governance in times of crisis.

Balancing openness with responsibility

In times of crisis, decisions must be made rapidly, yet data must remain interoperable, ethical, secure, and trustworthy. The DPTC resources are grounded in the 2021 UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science and aligned with widely recognized frameworks, including the FAIR, CARE, and TRUST Principles. They emphasize transparency, accountability, duty of care, and the protection of vulnerable populations, while enabling timely and coordinated data sharing across borders and sectors.

This survey represents an important step in understanding how organizations are translating these principles into operational practice. The insights gathered will help identify strengths, challenges, and priority areas for improvement in crisis data governance.

Who should participate

The development and subsequent implementation of effective data policies facilitated by open science for crisis situations requires the involvement of diverse stakeholders, each contributing a specific expertise or perspective. These include the following:

• Government agencies
• Emergency management authorities
• Public health institutions
• Statistical agencies
• Ethics committees
• Legal experts
• Research institutions (including those in academia, government, NGOs, and industry)
• Scientific editors and publishers
• Funding bodies
• Charities
• Non-governmental and civil society organizations
• Communities, journalists, and the digital and mass media
• The private sector (including technology, health, financial, and insurance companies)

Participants are invited to share their organization’s experience in implementing data policies aligned with open science principles.

Participate in the survey: https://surveys.unesco.org/UNESCO-CODATA-DPTC

The questionnaire takes approximately 10 – 15 minutes to complete.

The deadline to submit your response is 11 May 2026. 

Next steps

Survey findings will contribute to ongoing efforts to pilot and further refine the DPTC Toolkit. A call for pilot projects is planned for the next phase to test the Toolkit in diverse regional and institutional contexts, support adaptation to local needs, and strengthen institutional capacity for responsible crisis data governance.

By participating in this survey, organizations contribute to shaping global dialogue and advancing coordinated, ethical, and effective data management for future crises.

Contact

Should you have any questions or require further information, please contact the CODATA Secretariat (info@codata.org) or the UNESCO Open Science Team (openscience@unesco.org)

More information

• UNESCO’s work on science, technology and innovation policy
• UNESCO-CODATA initiative Data Policy for Times of Crisis Facilitated by Open Science

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Established in 2004, the Awards were created to celebrate the excellence and innovation necessary to secure our digital legacy, and to raise awareness of digital preservation in all its forms. They promote, encourage, and celebrate the widest possible participation in digital preservation, defined in the broadest possible terms.

Across the digital preservation field, inspiring work is happening every day. The Digital Preservation Awards provide a rare opportunity to bring that work into the spotlight, to share it with a global audience, and to articulate the value and impact of digital preservation.

Awards in 2026

In 2026, seven awards will be presented for initiatives completed between 1 August 2024 and 31 July 2026:

• The Award for Collaboration and Cooperation
  Celebrating significant collaboration across institutional, professional, sectoral and geographical boundaries which have had a demonstrable and positive impact on digital preservation.
• The Award for Research and Innovation
  Recognizing excellence in practical research and innovation activities.
• The Award for Teaching and Communications
  Recognizing excellence in outreach, training and advocacy.
• The Award for the Most Distinguished Student Work in Digital Preservation
  Encouraging and recognizing student work in digital preservation.
  The Award for Safeguarding the Digital Legacy
  Celebrating the practical application of preservation tools to protect at-risk digital objects.
• The Award for the Most Outstanding Digital Preservation Initiative in Commerce, Industry and the Third Sector
  Encouraging and recognizing the adoption of digital preservation tools and approaches in institutions which are not explicitly memory institutions.
• NEW in 2026: The Award for Resilience, Maintenance and Continuity
  Celebrating efforts that support and maintain critical infrastructure for digital preservation services and systems, ensuring the integrity and resilience of digital preservation workflows.

For more information, and to apply, see: https://www.dpconline.org/events/digital-preservation-awards, by the deadline 5th May 2026.

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Full paper submission due dates

You are cordially invited to submit your conference paper by August 31st for double-blind peer review (cf Programme Committee and review panel). To ensure personal information is removed before peer review, visit Microsoft Support on how to remove hidden data. The review process is completed in English as the standard conference language. Posters are reviewed separately (cf Poster criteria). Kindly ensure that conference papers conform to the criteria below; otherwise, your research contributions may not make the review process for inclusion in DHET-accredited published proceedings. Work-in-progress papers are also allowed (submit 500-word abstracts).

Conference Overview

The Generative Decision Science Conference brings together researchers, policymakers, industry leaders, and practitioners to explore the transformative role of data-driven decision-making in addressing complex societal challenges. Aligned with CODATA’s global mission, the conference emphasises open science, data stewardship, and evidence-based decision-making as critical enablers of inclusive development, particularly in emerging economies. This hybrid conference enables participation from across the globe, allowing delegates to attend either in person in Johannesburg or virtually, thereby expanding access and inclusivity. Importantly, registration for the conference is free, reinforcing the commitment to equitable knowledge sharing and broad participation, especially for researchers and practitioners from the Global South.

Conference Objectives

• Advance scholarship in decision science and data-driven methodologies.
• Promote open data, FAIR principles, and responsible data governance.
• Bridge the gap between research, policy and practice.
• Strengthen collaboration across academia, government, and industry.
• Support early-career researchers and emerging scholars.
• Enable accessible participation through hybrid delivery and free registration.

Themes and Tracks

Track 1: Applied Data Science for Decision-Making:

• Data analytics, machine learning, and predictive modelling.
• Data pipelines and real-time analytics.
• Data visualisation and decision intelligence.
• Big data architectures supporting decision processes.
• Data quality and data integration challenges.

Track 2: Information & Knowledge Management Systems:

• Knowledge management frameworks and strategies.
• Organisational knowledge systems and decision support.
• Knowledge sharing, transfer, and retention.
• Digital knowledge platforms and repositories.
• Information architecture and metadata systems.

Track 3: Data Governance, Stewardship & Open Science:

• Data governance frameworks and policy.
• FAIR data principles implementation.
• Open data ecosystems and data sharing.
• Ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI).
• Data sovereignty and African data governance models.

Track 4: Decision Science & Decision Support Systems:

• Decision support systems (DSS).
• Multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA).
• Risk and uncertainty modelling.
• Evidence-based decision-making frameworks.
• Integration of data and knowledge into decision processes.

Track 5: Artificial Intelligence & Knowledge-Driven Decision Systems:

• AI and machine learning in decision environments.
• Explainable AI (XAI) and transparency.
• Human-AI collaboration in decision-making.
• Generative AI in knowledge creation and decision support.
• Algorithmic bias and ethical AI.

Track 6: Applied Data Science & IKM for Sustainable Development:

• Data-driven approaches to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Climate and environmental data systems.
• Agriculture, health, and energy decision systems.
• Smart cities and urban data ecosystems.
• Public sector data and service delivery.

Track 7: Indigenous Knowledge Systems & Inclusive Data Practices:

• Integration of indigenous knowledge with data science.
• Community-based knowledge systems.
• Data justice and inclusion.
• Multilingual knowledge systems.
• Participatory data governance.

Track 8: Education, Skills & Capacity Development:

• Data literacy and decision-making skills.
• Teaching applied data science and IKM.
• Curriculum innovation and interdisciplinarity.
• Workforce readiness and digital transformation.
• Industry-academic partnerships.

Track 9: Industry Applications & Case Studies:

• Business intelligence and analytics.
• Financial decision systems and fintech.
• Supply chain optimisation.
• Healthcare data systems.
• Real-world applications of data-to-decision pipelines.

For further information please visit the conference announcement.

For more information, authors are welcome to contact the 2026 Programme Committee Co-Chairs. Prof Tanya du Plessis (IKM Chair): tduplessis@uj.ac.za and Dr Kagiso Mabe (CODATA SA Chair): kmabe@uj.ac.za.

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CDIF-4-XAS Implementation Plan https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19651219

This document describes the first proposal to integrate the IXAS — and IUCr — recommended formats for X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) data into workflows in the data processing and analysis platform Galaxy using the CDIF-4-XAS profile.

The OSCARS project CDIF-4-XAS aims to advance cross-domain interoperability of XAS data by implementing the Cross-Domain Interoperability Framework (CDIF) using the Data Description Initiative’s Cross-Domain Integration (DDI-CDI) model.

The project has concluded the two first steps of its roadmap. Firstly, the domain familiarisation step helped to identify two major standards within the XAS community: NeXus XAS (NXxas) and the XAS Data Interchange format (XDI). The NXxas and XDI standards are the focus for harmonization of data description and formatting recommended by the International X-ray Absorption Society (IXAS) and the International Union of Crystallography (IUCr). Secondly, in the metadata modelling step, both NXxas and XDI were mapped to CDIF following the DDI-CDI recommendation where the main output was the definition of a variable cascade, that describes and harmonises both standards from the level of concepts and representation down to the level of instances.

This document focuses on the third phase of the roadmap: the development of implementation guidelines supported by working examples. We now turn to practical guidance for building interoperable, domain-agnostic solutions that enable FAIR data exchange.

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