Thematic Digital Competence Centre for Life Sciences and Health (TDCC-LSH) Self-evaluation report - public version, September 2022- August 2025

This is the self-evaluation report for TDCC-LSH that was prepared for the evaluation of the first three years of TDCC-LSH.

Launched in 2022 with support from NWO, the Thematic Digital Competence Centre for Life Sciences & Health (TDCC-LSH) has evolved into a trusted national platform advancing data-driven health and life sciences through harmonised data stewardship, interoperability, and skills development.

Over 2022–2025, it has built a strong network across the Dutch research ecosystem, co-organised and/or attended over 70 events, and initiated eight community-led projects tackling FAIR data, metadata harmonisation, and training needs—despite limited funding and high demand.

In recent consultations, stakeholders indicate that the value of TDCC-LSH is its convening power, its role in supporting projects that otherwise would not be funded, and its contribution to training & capacity building, harmonization, standards and community building.

A SWOT analysis underscores its strengths in community trust and national reach but highlights capacity, funding, and coordination challenges. Looking ahead, TDCC-LSH aims to further align with emerging national and European data initiatives to secure sustainability.

In summary, TDCC-LSH has established itself as a unique and indispensable instrument in the Dutch research data landscape. To secure long-term impact, structural funding and clearer national coordination are essential to sustain its role as a catalyst for collaboration, capacity building, and interoperable digital solutions in life sciences and health.

This publication is part of the project Thematic Digital Competence Center - Coordination of the  Life Sciences & Health (TDCC-LSH) network with file number ICT.TDCC.003 in the context of the Dutch Implementation Plan Investments Digital Research Infrastructure (2019) and is financed by the Dutch Research Council (NWO). The TDCC-LSH programme is coordinated by Health-RI.