D6.4 - Cross-domain recommendations and feedback for the EOSC Interoperability Framework

Since the publication of the "Turning FAIR into Reality" report,^[1] numerous interoperability frameworks have been developed, each varying in their connection to the European Open Science Cloud Interoperability Framework (EOSC IF), and offering recommendations to improve data accessibility and sharing. In such a diverse and complex ecosystem, researchers, data producers, and service providers may understandably struggle to identify the most suitable framework for their interoperability needs. Hence providing an overview and conducting an analysis on the subject is a timely matter.

This report analyses various interoperability frameworks related to the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) and beyond. It aims to assess their implementation, challenges, and alignment with global standards to improve data sharing and accessibility across scientific disciplines. It also examines the coordination efforts among EOSC projects, EOSC task forces, and international organisations such as the Research Data Alliance (RDA). The report builds on the outcomes of a series of collaborations and workshops to provide insights into the challenges and advancements in interoperability.

To finally enhance EOSC interoperability, the report recommends establishing a central repository for interoperability guidelines and profiles, as well as developing a crosswalk registry to improve metadata harmonisation. It also advocates for creation of interoperability compliance metrics and a certification framework, as well as alignment with the Global Open Research Commons (GORC) International Model as a strategic benchmark.

The report further suggests that successful implementation of these recommendations will require a sustained engagement with EOSC technical and semantic interoperability initiatives such as the current EOSC Task Forces and continued collaboration with European partnerships such as the Data Spaces Support Centre (DSSC) to further refine interoperability solutions.