EOSC-Connect is a European initiative dedicated to accelerating the build-up of the EOSC Federation as a distributed system of systems, by establishing, connecting and strengthening EOSC National Nodes and advancing the federating capabilities that hold the Federation together.
The project brings together partners from 14 countries — well spread across the EU and beyond — to address common challenges and co-develop practical solutions for a federated research environment.
Our vision
EOSC-Connect supports the evolution of EOSC as a trusted and distributed system where researchers can find, access, combine and reuse FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable) research outputs, including data, publications, software and services, through a network of interoperable, resilient National Nodes.
Our objectives
- Expand the EOSC Federation with sustainable National Nodes
Prepare 14 candidate National Nodes for enrolment, underpinned by solid business models and legal frameworks, and enrich the Federation with added-value data, services and resources, including at least 10 third-party resources onboarded via the Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) mechanism. - Evolve and refine the EOSC Federation specifications
Contribute directly to the EOSC Federation Handbook and Interoperability Framework, developing and testing federating capabilities — AAI, resource catalogues, EFSS, cross-border sharing of costly resources — to close existing gaps and simplify adoption at national level. - Designate and train EOSC Node operators
Build the operational capacity of National Node operators, particularly for federating-capability responsibilities, through national webinars, cross-country workshops and dedicated training events. - Champion the EOSC Federation within the European research community
Engage researchers from the 14 participating countries, gather their input, and demonstrate the benefits of the Federation through hands-on use cases and demonstrators.
What we do
Building sustainable National Nodes
EOSC-Connect supports the preparation of 14 EOSC National Nodes for integration into the EOSC Federation, helping establish governance structures, sustainability models and national value propositions.
Advancing federating capabilities
The project develops and tests the federating capabilities that make it easier to share resources, services and data across countries and scientific domains, and that reinforce the Federation's resilience.
Validating with use cases and demonstrators
EOSC-Connect tests federating capabilities and National Node value through 4 use cases and 2 demonstrators covering real cross-border research workflows.
Creating lasting impact
By working with national stakeholders, infrastructures and the wider EOSC community, the project contributes to a sustainable, resilient and inclusive EOSC Federation.
Partners
EOSC-Connect brings together a unique consortium which plays a critical role in the development of the EOSC Federation and includes operators of fourteen candidate National Nodes. All the fourteen candidate National Nodes part of the project have either officially received a national mandate to build and operate an EOSC National Node, are engaged in advanced discussions with their national authorities to establish one, or act as a central hub for EOSC activities in their respective countries.
The consortium is further enhanced by four specialised partners: CERN, contributing expertise in data management, in particular through Rucio and facilitating access to data lakes, with a focus on integrating AI Factories and ensuring the discoverability of High-Energy Physics (HEP) datasets within the EOSC Federation; OKMAPS, providing AI-driven discovery infrastructure solutions; TRUST-IT and COMMpla supporting community building, communication, dissemination and the management of the Open Calls.
Learn more about the project's expected outcomes.
EOSC-Connect Expected Outcomes