Research data are a fundamental component of a research project, and their openness is a key pillar of Open Science. Many funding agencies, including the European Union, require the deposit of research data in reputable repository infrastructures and the preparation of a Data Management Plan (DMP) as a prerequisite for project funding. In support of these practices, the Library and Information Center (LIC) encourages the comprehensive management of research data throughout their entire lifecycle in accordance with the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable).

Research Data Management Infrastructure

HARDMIN (Hellenic Academic Research Data Management Initiative) is the national research data repository, with a clear mission: the organized collection, preservation, and dissemination of all research data produced by Greek researchers and academics across all scientific disciplines. HARDMIN fills a critical gap that has long existed in the Greek scientific community—namely, the need for a secure, reliable, and standard infrastructure for the storage and publication of research data, through which the repository supports strategic goals that are essential for the advancement of modern science.

What it offers

• Transparency and verifiability: It promotes openness in the research process by allowing researchers to share their data in a structured and documented manner, thereby facilitating the verification of findings and enhancing the credibility of scientific research.
• Data reuse: Data hosted in the repository become accessible to researchers worldwide, paving the way for new collaborations, interdisciplinary analyses, and the utilization of existing research without the need to repeat costly data collection processes.
• Digital transformation of research: It actively contributes to the digital transformation of Greece’s research landscape by introducing modern research data management practices that align with European and international Open Science standards.
• Competitiveness in the research community: The adoption of modern data management and publication practices significantly enhances Greek researchers’ chances of success in competitive research proposals, while also raising the level of scientific communication and their international presence.

Access to the IU space on HARDMIN

Who can use HARDMIN

All researchers of the Ionian University have the ability to log in to the dedicated space for the Ionian University on HARDMIN using their academic credentials and upload their research data in a simple and quick way.

Data publication is carried out by specialized editorial teams operating either at the academic unit level—such as the head of a research laboratory—or at the institutional level, such as the Library’s specialized staff. Published data are assigned permanent and unique identifiers, ensuring their enduring and reliable citation. At the same time, they can be linked to published scholarly work, such as articles in scientific journals.

In cases requiring greater protection, such as sensitive or confidential research data, access may be restricted and granted exclusively upon request by the interested party.

Guide

The complete HARDMIN guide can be found on the relevant webpage of the Scholarly Communication Unit of the Hellenic Academic Libraries Link.

Data Management Plan Drafting Infrastructure

Users have access to the Data Management Plans (DMPs) authoring tool, the HEAL-Link DMP Tool. A Data Management Plan is now a basic requirement for participation in research programs, as it is requested by funding bodies such as Horizon Europe, describing the collection, organization, storage, protection, and dissemination of research data throughout the duration and after the completion of a project. The tool offers DMP drafting capabilities, with questions tailored to funding bodies' templates, alignment with the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable), and compliance with the requirements and best practices of Open Science.

Access to the DMP tool

Training on Research Data Management

Within the framework of the PATTERN project (Piloting open and responsible Activities and Trainings Towards the Enhancement of Researchers Networks) and HEAL-Link's participation in it, the training program “QuickStart to Open Science” was developed in Greek and is provided free of charge, implemented in a modern way for the entire academic and research community of the country. Both courses contain practical exercises and quizzes in order to consolidate the participants' knowledge and enhance the practical application of theoretical concepts. Through the OpenPlato platform, two courses on Research Data Management (RDM) are provided, as follows:

Basic level

This course is aimed at early-career researchers with no prior experience in Research Data Management (RDM) and covers the basic FAIR principles and their relationship to Open Data. It also introduces the importance of Data Management Plans (DMPs) and key practices such as documentation, the use of metadata, and the selection of appropriate repositories. The goal is for participants to gain a concise and flexible theoretical and practical foundation in Research Data Management.

Course on OpenPlato

Intermediate level

This course is aimed at early-career researchers with no prior experience in Research Data Management (RDM), serves as a continuation of the basic level, and is intended for those who wish to delve deeper into Research Data Management at an intermediate level and into the responsible sharing of research data. Participants will be able to understand the role of metadata and Persistent Identifiers (PIDs) in organizing and linking research data. They will be able to evaluate and select appropriate repositories for their publication and preservation, and they will become familiar with the basic principles of licensing and access. They will be able to apply FAIR practices for the effective documentation, sharing, and reuse of data.

Course on OpenPlato