The linchpin of open science lies in the practices of transparency and collaboration. Over the project's duration, FIDELIS will address the need for a cohesive and transparent community by setting up, developing and operating a Network of Trustworthy Digital Repositories.
The Network's mission and activities
With the launch of the FIDELIS Network, we aim to support digital repositories in Europe to become and remain trustworthy over time. FIDELIS welcomes digital repositories that practice or aspire to practice TRUST-inspiring and FAIR-enabling ways of working to join the network.
Core activities that the Network will engage in are:
- Stakeholder advocacy and engagement. The FIDELIS Network aims to grow into an advocacy group for FAIR-enabling trustworthy digital repositories.
- Networking and facilitation of knowledge exchange, e.g. on common legal topics specific for Trustworthy Digital Repositories, such as GDPR and IPR aspects.
- Coordination and development, with activities including :
- Support members to implement trustworthy and FAIR-enabling (best) practices, policies, standards and tools;
- Foster standardisation and interoperability across repositories to enable an EOSC federation of TDR;
- Provide training and support of TDRs and TDR staff.
Why should your repository join the FIDELIS Network?
For the duration of the project, all sign-ups are considered provisional members. You can benefit in numerous ways, including :
- Contribution to the design of the Network, its governance and sustainability. You can co-create the Network while it is being set up, and provide first-hand experience of the European repositories and their needs.
- Engage in the pilot support offer in 2025. This offer consists of various solutions - services, tools, methodologies, and policies - being provided by project partners, EOSC projects and provisional members of the network. Member repositories will test solutions in their own local environment, supported by FIDELIS project partners. The feedback from participating Network members will in turn influence the support offer in the next project years.
- Engage with the other Network members, hearing about future projects and relevant EOSC developments, and potentially meeting future project partners. You will be among the first to hear about FIDELIS cascading grants for later support actions.
Become a provisional FIDELIS network member
Membership and Fee to join the FIDELIS Network
During this start-up phase of the Network there is no fee and membership is provisional. The FIDELIS project operates the Network until 2027 while working on its development towards sustainability. Once the Network’s strategy, roadmap, long-term sustainability plan and governance are clear at the end of 2026 you will be given the option to evolve your membership.
The TRUST principles for repositories (Transparency, Responsibility, User focus, Sustainability) and FAIR principles for digital objects (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable) cover key aspects of what it means to operate a trustworthy FAIR-enabling digital repository. At registration we ask aspiring members to embrace both sets of principles and within 4 months publicly endorse the TRUST principles through the RDA.
Have questions about the Network? Join the introductory FIDELIS Network Webinar!
Before joining the Network we are aware you may have questions. If you wish to learn more about the various training and support opportunities that will come with the establishment of the FIDELIS Network, make sure to register to the introductory webinar. The webinar will be held online on Tuesday, May 13th, at 14:00 to 15:00 CET. During this webinar, we will discuss the Network's strategy, roadmap, governance and membership and encourage provisional members and the wider community to provide feedback.