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Welcome to the fourth post in our six-part series exploring the future of research software in Germany. In each installment, we present opinion statements on why a national research software institution could and should be created to strengthen Germany’s research ecosystem.

There are numerous success stories, both domestically and abroad, that demonstrate the effectiveness of providing structured support for research in the digital age. This is why we have identified institutions that can help to leverage our initiative. Learning from the successes of initiatives and institutions can build momentum and demonstrate viable pathways forward. For instance, structures already exist around research data, texts and hardware that provide valuable support for researchers across the research ecosystem. These structures offer concrete opportunities for collaboration, coordination and knowledge exchange.

After conducting 18 interviews with experts from the German research software ecosystem, we identified key challenges, needs and possible solutions. In our paper ‘Key points for the design of a German research software institution. General challenges, specific needs and possible solutions’, we explain these challenges, specify them with ten descriptions of needs and present possible solutions and next steps in the FutuRSI project. Click here for the key points paper.

Welcome to the third post in our six-part series exploring the future of research software in Germany. In each installment, we present opinion statements on why a national research software institution could and should be created to strengthen Germany’s research ecosystem.

The current heterogeneous and fragmented state of the German research software ecosystem results in considerable hidden costs and wasted resources. Numerous parallel structures exist, sometimes even within the same institution, which lead to redundant developments and inefficient, non-standardised custom-built solutions.