NCRIS FAIR Data and Secure Access

The Challenge

National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) facilities generate large volumes of high-value data through their instruments, services, and expertise. Data from our national facilities is an important part of the national data commons. However, the data can be dispersed across institutional nodes, described differently at each facility, and not easy to mobilise as a whole. A program working consistently across facilities, creates an opportunity to create a more seamless experience for researchers, increase research efficiency and integrity, and realise potential for innovation.

The Approach

The ARDC is working in partnership with NCRIS facilities to:

• support standardised metadata and discovery systems that make datasets FAIR and reusable
• develop trusted, secure infrastructure for managing and accessing sensitive data
• establish clear governance frameworks aligned with national standards, ethical guidelines, and sovereignty principles
• enable integration and interoperability with national and international infrastructures where appropriate
• build sustainable partnerships that ensure solutions endure beyond individual projects.

All projects are co-designed with stakeholders and require a one-to-one co-investment commitment, ensuring shared ownership and sustainability. Read the program guidelines.

The ARDC is reaching out to health and medical related NCRIS facilities that are looking to uplift FAIR and secure access.

This NCRIS facilities program complements work ARDC is doing elsewhere with government administrative health data and data from academic health studies. Together the programs help researchers find relevant data for health research from across the health data ecosystem.

The Projects

Thematic research data commons is: People

Phenomics Model Discovery

Improving discovery of preclinical model data across Australia

Exploreabout Phenomics Model Discovery

Thematic research data commons is: People

Biological Psychiatry Data Commons

An Australian-led data commons enabling discovery and sharing of biological psychiatry data

Exploreabout Biological Psychiatry Data Commons

Collaboration

The program is delivered in close partnership with Australia’s NCRIS facilities. These facilities operate national-scale research infrastructure and are central to building data capabilities that are FAIR, secure, and interoperable.

By working directly with NCRIS facilities, the program ensures that data assets and services are aligned, sustainable, and embedded within the broader national research infrastructure ecosystem.

Target Outcomes

Through its work with NCRIS facilities, the program will develop:

• metadata registries and discovery platforms that improve data visibility
• secure access frameworks for managing sensitive and controlled data
• governance and policy models that enable responsible data sharing
• integration approaches that connect facility data within the broader research ecosystem.

These outcomes will ensure that NCRIS facility data is discoverable, accessible, and reusable, supporting both national and international research collaboration. The program will make it easier for researchers to find and access data from national facilities, academic institutions and government agencies.

Key Resources

• Program guidelines