DFG form 12.

14 03/13 page 1 of 8
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
Kennedyallee 40 53175 Bonn postal address: 53170 Bonn
phone: + 49 228 885-1 fax: + 49 228 885-2777 postmaster@dfg.de www.dfg.de
DFG
Guidelines
Information Infrastructures for Research Data



DFG form 12.14 03/13 page 2 of 8
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
Kennedyallee 40 53175 Bonn postal address: 53170 Bonn
phone: + 49 228 885-1 fax: + 49 228 885-2777 postmaster@dfg.de www.dfg.de
DFG
I. Programme Information
1. Objective
As part of its Scientific Library Services and Information Systems Programme, the DFG
funds projects at research institutions and other research service and information cen-
tres in Germany. The aim is to set up efficient nationwide research information sys-
tems.

Quality assured research data is one of the main cornerstones of scientific discovery.
Ensuring its sustainable availability, processing and usability is therefore an important
aspect of science policy supported by the DFG through its funding.

This programme aims to support researchers in describing and implementing specific
and needs-oriented requirements for future structures, or structures undergoing further
development, for the improved handling of research data and research data reposito-
ries. On this basis it is intended to develop concepts and solutions for nationwide and
international, sustainable information structures for one or more disciplines. Part of the
objective is to ensure that existing structures can link into the international community.

To guarantee that the developing structures are well received, close collaboration be-
tween representatives of scientific disciplines and infrastructure facilities with a docu-
mented expertise in the use, storage and provision of research data is essential. Fur-
thermore, it is expected that the developing structures be integrated in and interoperate
with existing national and international networks. An important requirement is that es-
tablished standards within the context of data collection and data storage be taken into
account as appropriate. The structures to be established should also contribute to the
closer integration of research data management in scientific research and in the train-
ing of early career researchers.

Depending on the specific circumstances and current situation in each discipline, the
scope of the project can range from drawing up concepts to the professionalization of
existing data repositories. For example, projects can aim to design near-reality models
tailored to organisational forms specific to the various disciplines, incentive mecha-
nisms, or options for the publication of research data, or to test their implementability.
However, the focus can also be to enhance efficient data repositories or information in-
DFG form 12.14 03/13 page 3 of 8
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
Kennedyallee 40 53175 Bonn postal address: 53170 Bonn
phone: + 49 228 885-1 fax: + 49 228 885-2777 postmaster@dfg.de www.dfg.de
DFG
frastructures for research data, such as a link to existing international structures for the
purposes of interoperation.

It is not possible to grant funding for the purely technical renovation of existing sys-
tems. Projects with the sole goal of developing or optimising the information infrastruc-
ture of individual research projects will not be funded.
2. Proposals
2.1 Eligibility
In general, non-profit research information infrastructure facilities such as libraries, ar-
chives, museums, computer centres and media centres are eligible to submit pro-
posals; they are represented by the director of the facility. Researchers in Germany or
those working at a German research institution abroad who have completed their aca-
demic training (generally by obtaining a doctorate) are also eligible to apply.

In general you are not eligible to submit a proposal if you work at an institution that is
not non-profit or one that does not allow immediate publication of research findings in a
generally accessible form.

Since funding provided in the area of scientific library services and information systems
is intended to achieve improvements to nationwide and international information infra-
structures, and its results benefit research as a whole, institutes and member organisa-
tions of the Max Planck Society, the Fraunhofer Society, the Helmholtz Association, the
Leibniz Association, and publicly funded research institutions associated with these or-
ganisations, and German sections of international information infrastructure institutions
are also eligible to apply.
2.2 Proposal requirements and funding conditions
When the aim of DFG project funding is to set up a longer-term national structure, it is
expected that the proposal be submitted and supported by or in conjunction with an in-
stitution that is able to maintain the project findings and ensure their sustainability.
DFG form 12.14 03/13 page 4 of 8
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
Kennedyallee 40 53175 Bonn postal address: 53170 Bonn
phone: + 49 228 885-1 fax: + 49 228 885-2777 postmaster@dfg.de www.dfg.de
DFG
a) Project requirements
Taking into account the stage of development of the infrastructure to be established,
projects must have a sound sustainability concept that describes the action that will be
taken after funding has expired.

Projects must also be based on a thorough analysis of the research environment that
clearly shows the needs of the scientific community and how the research data infra-
structure would serve these needs.
b) Project results
The establishment and enhancement of information infrastructures for research data
must take account of any relevant technical standards particularly those concerning da-
ta collection and data storage.

All the findings of the project must be announced to the relevant community and made
available for use free of charge, also to third parties. Disclosure of any source code
produced is mandatory; project results must be made available as an open source in a
suitable location. This also applies to comprehensive documentation.

c) Financial contributions
The applicants are expected to make a reasonable financial contribution to the project,
e.g. in the form of personnel and direct project costs.
2.3 Format and deadline
a) Proposal structure
Proposals for projects in the area of scientific library services and information systems
must be structured in accordance with the relevant proposal preparation instructions:

http://www.dfg.de/formulare/12_01

Please base your proposal on the outline in this template and, where relevant, address
the following items:

DFG form 12.14 03/13 page 5 of 8
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
Kennedyallee 40 53175 Bonn postal address: 53170 Bonn
phone: + 49 228 885-1 fax: + 49 228 885-2777 postmaster@dfg.de www.dfg.de
DFG
Item 2.2 of the project description (Objectives):
Show that it will be possible to link the proposed structure to national and international
networks.
b) Additional information and data sheets
Not applicable
c) Submission deadline
Proposals may be submitted at any time. Proposals awaiting decisions will undergo a
comparative multidisciplinary review in March and September of each year.

Please note that calls for proposals aimed at particular topics may be announced peri-
odically under this funding programme. Proposals concerning the same subject matter
cannot be submitted to the regular programme until after funding decisions for the call
have been made.
3. Duration
Initial funding can be approved for up to three years. The total funding period should
not exceed six years.
II. Proposal Modules
Under this funding programme, you may submit one or more of the following modules. For
more details, please see the respective guidelines for each module.
1. Basic Module
Use the basic module to request funding for direct project costs, project-specific staff,
and instrumentation necessary to carry out the project.

http://www.dfg.de/formulare/52_01/
DFG form 12.14 03/13 page 6 of 8
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
Kennedyallee 40 53175 Bonn postal address: 53170 Bonn
phone: + 49 228 885-1 fax: + 49 228 885-2777 postmaster@dfg.de www.dfg.de
DFG
2. Project-specific workshops
If you would like to conduct workshops as part of your project, you may request funding
to help you do so. Please note that this module cannot be submitted separately but on-
ly in conjunction with the proposed project.

http://www.dfg.de/formulare/52_06/
III. Obligations
In submitting a proposal for funding under this programme, you agree to:

1. adhere to the rules of good scientific practice.
1


The general principles of good scientific practice include, among others: maintaining
professional standards, documenting results, rigorously questioning all findings, and at-
tributing honestly any contributions by partners, competitors and predecessors.

Scientific misconduct is defined as the intentional and grossly negligent statement of
falsehoods in a scientific context, the violation of intellectual property rights or impeding
another persons research work. The circumstances of each case will be considered on
an individual basis. In cases where scientific misconduct has been established, the
DFG may impose one or more of the following sanctions, depending on the nature and
severity of the scientific misconduct:
issuing a written reprimand to those involved;
exclusion from the right to apply for DFG funds for a period of one to eight years,
depending on the severity of the scientific misconduct;
revoking funding decisions (complete or partial cancellation of the grant, recalling
granted funds, demanding repayment of funds spent);
demanding that those concerned either retract the discredited publications or cor-
rect the falsified data (in particular by publishing an erratum), or appropriately in-
dicate the DFGs retraction of funding in the discredited publications;

1
The rules of good scientific practice are presented in detail in the white paper "Proposals for Safeguarding
Good Scientific Practice
(http://www.dfg.de/en/research_funding/legal_conditions/good_scientific_practice/index.html) and in the usage
guidelines for research grants (DFG forms 2.01 and 2.02, see
http://www.dfg.de/en/research_funding/forms_guidelines/index.html).
DFG form 12.14 03/13 page 7 of 8
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
Kennedyallee 40 53175 Bonn postal address: 53170 Bonn
phone: + 49 228 885-1 fax: + 49 228 885-2777 postmaster@dfg.de www.dfg.de
DFG
exclusion from acting as a reviewer or from membership in DFG committees for a
period of one to eight years depending on the severity of the scientific miscon-
duct;
denying voting rights and eligibility in elections for DFG statutory bodies and
committees for a period of one to eight years depending on the severity of the
scientific misconduct.
By accepting funding, the recipient agrees to

2. use the grant exclusively and in a targeted manner to realise the funded project. The
use and accounting of funds must conform to the relevant regulations of the DFG.

3. submit progress reports on the research according to the dates specified in the award
letter and to present financial accounts to the DFG detailing the use of funds.

The DFG expects that the findings of the projects it funds be made available to the public.
IV. Publication of Data on Grant Holders and Research Projects
The data necessary for processing your grant proposal will be stored and processed elec-
tronically by the DFG. If a grant is awarded, your work address (e.g. telephone, fax, e-mail,
internet website), as well as information on the content of your research project (e.g. topic,
summary, keywords, international cooperation), will be published in the DFG's project data-
base GEPRIS and - in excerpts (grant holders name, institution and location) - in the Pro-
grammes and Projects section of the DFGs electronic annual report. If you do not wish this
information to be published electronically, please notify us in writing no later than four weeks
after receipt of your award letter.
www.dfg.de/gepris
www.dfg.de/jahresbericht
V. Information
For further information, please contact Dr. Stefan Winkler-Nees (Scientific Library Services
and Information Systems, Tel. +49 228/885-2212, Stefan.Winkler-Nees@dfg.de) or Dr. Katja
Hartig (Life Sciences 1 and Scientific Library Services and Information Systems, Tel. +49 228
885-2359, Katja.Hartig@dfg.de). A detailed overview of contact details, responsibilities and
DFG form 12.14 03/13 page 8 of 8
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
Kennedyallee 40 53175 Bonn postal address: 53170 Bonn
phone: + 49 228 885-1 fax: + 49 228 885-2777 postmaster@dfg.de www.dfg.de
DFG
funding opportunities in the DFGs Scientific Library Services and Information Systems Pro-
gramme is available on the DFG website at
www.dfg.de/lis/en