Towards Standardised Documentation of Data through taxonomies and ontologies (CSA)

Topic description

Specific Challenge:

Standardised data documentation with metadata based on an agreed ontology^[1] across the domains covered by this work programme is critical for the widest use of data and, ultimately, reliable end-user products.

The challenge is for all relevant stakeholders to develop, test, validate and agree on data documentation to ensure consistency and interoperability of intra-and cross-domain specific taxonomies^[2] and ontologies. The standardised data documentation should be developed with a global ambition through international cooperation.

The proposals should develop EU-wide standardised data documentation that ensures interoperability of data. The data documentation should take the form of an actionable ontology that consists of a top level ontology, adapted existing domain ontologies (such as manufacturing, materials processing, materials modelling, nano-safety, characterisation and life cycle sustainable analysis ontologies), complemented by new ontologies for other subdomains,.

In particular, the projects should:

• Network relevant stakeholders to collect input on existing data documentation;
• Develop and agree on a top level ontology to connect relevant subdomains of this work programme
• Harmonise existing ontologies with respect to the top level ontology.
• Develop and agree on new ontologies for relevant sub-domains of this work programme
• Deliver at least ten demonstrators on the use of ontologies (decision systems, innovation projects, workflows, quality assurance, guided AI and data parsing…)

Projects should liaise with the work done under the European Open Science Cloud, standardisation bodies, the Research Data Alliance and other relevant initiatives. Existing taxonomies and/or ontologies relevant for this part of the programme should be taken into account. Therefore, proposals should foresee a dedicated work package for this cooperation and earmark appropriate resources.

Proposals should guarantee the maintenance and further development of the ontology and data documentation after the project duration. The vast majority of the deliverables, including subsequent taxonomies and ontologies, should be public.

The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU around EUR 4 million would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.

Proposals must address all the following impact criteria, providing metrics to measure success where appropriate

• Enable a standardised and operational data documentation at intra- and cross-across domains covered by this work programme that meets the FAIR data principles;
• Enable a mechanism to allow practical and user-friendly re-usability of data across domains and industrial sectors;
• Enable a maintained and continuously developed ontology and data documentation to ensure long-term relevance and implementation;
• Facilitate uptake of new project results;
• Improved ability to build interoperable software solutions in materials, process and manufacturing;
• A better integrated materials, processes, and manufacturing development environment in Europe from networking academics, innovation hubs and industry.

[1]An ontology consists of definitions of vocabulary, classes and relations between classes

[2]A taxonomy consists of definitions of vocabulary and classes