GHGA welcomes the long-term continuation of the NFDI

On 10 July 2026, the Joint Science Conference (GWK) decided to continue funding the National Research Data Infrastructure (NFDI) until 2038. Under the new federal-state agreement (Bund-Länder-Vereinbarung), the NFDI is given a long-term perspective and will evolve into a more coordinated organisational structure. A key element of the future structure is the introduction of scientific domains, which are intended to further strengthen subject-specific cooperation within the NFDI.

GHGA welcomes this decision. Robust research data infrastructures are an essential foundation for scientific excellence and medical progress. The long-term funding of the NFDI provides long-term planning certainty and enables the sustainable expansion of shared services, standards and research data infrastructures.

Together with the NFDI4Health, NFDI4Microbiota, NFDI4Immuno and NFDI4BIOIMAGE consortia, GHGA is advocating for the establishment of a Biomedicine domain within the future NFDI.

The five consortia have formalised their joint support in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). In the MoU, the consortia express their shared conviction that, given its scientific, societal and infrastructural importance, biomedicine should constitute a distinct disciplinary division. They also state their intention to help shape this division as an open, science-driven and collaborative platform within the NFDI.

The participating consortia already work closely together and contribute their experience in handling sensitive health and research data. Together, they aim to continue the successful collaboration of the BioMed Interest Group and further expand synergies with national initiatives such as NAKO, NUM and genomDE. They also aim to actively support the further development of the NFDI as a strong, interconnected and sustainable research data infrastructure.