Helpdesk Collaboration Strengthens Interdisciplinary Research
Research questions are often not easily assigned to a single discipline — or may span multiple fields. In the Geo-Chem-Life Science Helpdesk Cluster, which was formalized in March 2025 through a joint Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), ten NFDI consortia from the geosciences, chemistry, and life sciences have joined forces to offer cross-disciplinary guidance on data management issues.
Full Text of the MoU
Memorandum of Understanding of NFDI consortia from Earth, Chemical and Life Sciences to support a network called the Geo-Chem-Life Science Helpdesk Cluster
The helpdesks of the NFDI consortia play an important role in the initial contact between the communities representing different domains and the respective consortium. Due to the specific and interdisciplinary nature of the research and the wide range of disciplines and overlapping expertise covered, it is not always possible for a single consortium helpdesk to answer a request satisfactorily. In order to ensure high-quality support for enquiries on interdisciplinary topics, we—the participating NFDI consortia with a focus on geosciences, chemistry, and life sciences—have established the "Geo-Chem-Life Science Helpdesk Cluster." Through this network, the consortia ensure that enquiries can be answered to the satisfaction of users.
In addition, the networking of these specialized helpdesks can be highly beneficial, enabling the exchange of domain-specific knowledge and expertise, improving overall problem-solving capabilities, and fostering a collaborative environment that transcends the boundaries of individual consortia.
The undersigned consortia, represented by their respective spokespersons, agree to work together to enhance their support capabilities (helpdesks) to meet the needs of interdisciplinary research. By sharing best practices, resources, and expertise, we will ensure a streamlined and efficient approach to user support across Geo-Chem-Life Science subject areas and heterogeneous support structures.
Each consortium provides human resources and nominates at least one person to participate in the Helpdesk Cluster, which agrees on workflows and how to further extend the collaboration.
The participation of other consortia is welcome, and their inclusion will be evaluated by the Helpdesk Cluster.
See publication
Memorandum of Understanding of NFDI consortia from Earth-, Chemical and Life Sciences to support a network called the Geo-Chem-Life Science Helpdesk Cluster, Version 1 (Bernard, L., Brück, M., Busse, C., Engel, J., Eufinger, J., Ewert, F., Fluck, J., Förstner, K., Fürst, J., Gauza, H., Getzlaff, K., Glöckner, F. O., Hunold, J., Koepler, O., Krooß, K., Lindstädt, B., McHardy, A. C., Mehrtens, H., Rey-Mazon, E., … Wetzker, C.), 2025. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15065070
Participating Consortia
DataPLANT
Freiburg, 2025
(Speaker: Dirk von Suchodoletz)
FAIRagro
Müncheberg, 2025
(Speaker: Frank Ewert)
GHGA
Heidelberg, 2025
(Speaker: Oliver Stegle)
NFDI4Biodiversity
Bremen, 2025
(Speaker: Frank Oliver Glöckner)
NFDI4BioImage
Düsseldorf, 2025
(Speaker: Stefanie Weidtkamp-Peters)
NFDI4Chem
Jena, 2025
(Speaker: Christoph Steinbeck, Oliver Koepler)
NFDI4Earth
Dresden, 2025
(Speaker: Lars Bernard)
NFDI4Health
Cologne, 2025
(Speaker: Juliane Fluck)
NFDI4Immuno
Heidelberg, 2025
(Speaker: Christian Busse)
NFDI4Microbiota
Cologne, 2025
(Speaker: Konrad Förstner, Alice McHardy)
Contact
If you have any questions or are interested in collaborating, feel free to contact us via the NFDI4Biodiversity Helpdesk.