OpenAIRE is pleased to announce the upcoming FAIR Research Data Management (RDM) Train-the-Trainers Bootcamp for Data Stewards, an intensive four-day online programme designed to strengthen the practical and pedagogical skills of professionals who support research communities in implementing FAIR and Open Science practices.
The Bootcamp targets intermediate and experienced data stewards, research support professionals, librarians, repository managers, and institutional RDM practitioners who already provide guidance within their organisations and wish to further develop their capacity to train researchers and junior colleagues.
Rather than focusing solely on theory, the programme adopts a Train-the-Trainers (TtT) approach, combining practical exercises, institutional case studies, collaborative activities, and reusable teaching resources that participants can directly adapt within their own organisations.
26–29 October 2026 | Online | Up to 30 selected participants
Throughout the four days, participants will explore the complete research data lifecycle through interactive sessions delivered by leading European experts. Topics will include:
- Understanding the evolving role and career pathways of data stewards
- FAIR principles in practice and their relationship with Open Science
- Early-stage data stewardship, research planning and Data Management Plans
- Practical use of ARGOS and machine-actionable DMPs
- Research data curation and metadata quality
- Trusted repositories and long-term preservation
- Research integrity, reproducibility and responsible data stewardship
- Legal, ethical and GDPR considerations
- Institutional RDM services and national infrastructures
- Reusable training methodologies, practical exercises and teaching materials for local implementation
The Bootcamp brings together expertise from leading European organisations, research infrastructures and community initiatives, providing participants with an opportunity to exchange experiences, discuss common challenges, and build lasting professional connections across the European Open Science landscape.
As places are intentionally limited to 30 selected participants, the programme emphasises interaction, peer learning, mentoring and hands-on practice throughout all sessions.
Applications
The call for applications will open in early September 2026.
Following the evaluation process, selected participants will be notified during the first week of October 2026, allowing sufficient time to prepare for the Bootcamp before it begins on 26 October 2026.
Further information, including the full programme, eligibility criteria, application procedure and trainers, will be published when the call opens.
We warmly invite data stewards and research support professionals across Europe to stay tuned and prepare their applications.
- Applications open: Early September 2026
- Selection results: First week of October 2026
- Bootcamp: 26–29 October 2026 (online)
We look forward to welcoming the next cohort of data stewards committed to advancing FAIR Research Data Management and strengthening institutional capacity for Open Science across Europe.
A special thank you to the OpenAIRE Research Data Management Working Group experts, whose collaboration helped shape this Bootcamp.
