FAIR Assessment and DataRepositóriUM: OSTrails pilot use case

Abstract

This presentation introduces the essentials of the OSTrails FAIR Reference Model (FRM) and demonstrates its practical application through the use case of DataRepositóriUM - University of Minho Data Repository, showcasing how the model can be used to assess the FAIR compliance of datasets deposited in repositories. By showcasing how the repository adopts FAIR benchmarks to assess and improve the FAIRness of its datasets, the presentation will illustrate how this approach can serve as an example for other repositories seeking alignment with the FAIR principles.

The OSTrails FRM provides a unified conceptual and structural foundation for evaluating how well datasets comply with the principles of being Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable. Developed within the OSTrails project, the model emerged from a systematic comparison of existing FAIR assessment tools, which revealed significant inconsistencies in how FAIR principles were interpreted, implemented, and reported. To overcome this fragmentation, the FRM identifies the core components essential for FAIR assessment (Dimensions, Metrics, Tests, and Benchmarks) and defines how these components should be represented, related, and expressed through machine‑actionable metadata.

The FRM plays a key role in improving the FAIR assessment of datasets deposited in repositories by establishing a shared vocabulary and conceptual structure. It enables harmonised and transparent evaluations, reducing discrepancies that arise when different tools assess the same object using divergent interpretations of FAIR principles.