FIP Check: A Rubric-Based Tool for Assessing FAIR Implementation Profiles and Enabling Resources

As communities increasingly aim to understand and demonstrate how their data repositories support the FAIR Principles, decision-makers need tools that provide a clear, actionable snapshot. This paper introduces FIP Check, a framework for assessing FAIR Implementation Profiles (FIPs) through a structured assessment of FAIR Enabling Resources (FERs). Built on the FIP ontology, the FIP Check brings three key innovations to FAIR assessment. First, it enables granular and practical evaluation by using a principle-aligned rubric to assess individual FERs. Second, it measures partial FAIRness through a progressive scoring scale that captures varying levels of FAIR alignment, offering constructive, context-aware feedback rather than purely binary results. Additionally, this tool complements existing FAIR assessment tools by focusing on FERs as the units of assessment rather than on entire repositories or datasets. Third, it ensures transparent and inspectable balance by embedding expert-informed assessments within a standardized rubric and making all scoring decisions directly visible. FIP Check was piloted across seven biomedical data repositories, testing its utility in identifying strengths and actionable gaps, and supporting more informed FAIR improvement efforts. It enables communities to assess their current practices and plan targeted enhancements. By providing detailed insights into how individual FERs contribute to FIP’s FAIR alignment, the FIP Check transforms the FAIR Principles from abstract ideals into practical guidance—supporting strategic alignment, fostering shared understanding, and encouraging repository owners to see their resources not only as providers of data, but as infrastructure components.