What does NFDI mean?

NFDI is an abbreviation.

The abbreviation consists of the first letters of the words “National,” “Research,” “Data,” and “Infrastructure.”

The NFDI is an association.

The NFDI association is something like a shared umbrella organization.

Scientists work together under this umbrella. 

Scientists are experts in a certain area, such as mathematics.

Different areas have joined together in groups under this umbrella.

Such a group is called a “consortium.”

In a NFDI consortium, several universities and research institutions work together.    

Why does the NFDI exist?

Scientists need information.

With this information, they can answer important questions, improve processes, or develop new machines and devices, for example.

The systematic search for such solutions is called research.

Research leads to new knowledge.

This knowledge is stored on computers so that it is not lost.

This is digital research data.

The NFDI wants as much research data as possible from all areas to be stored.

These knowledge storages should be accessible for a long time so that many scientists can work with them.

The stored knowledge helps the whole society to make progress. 

That is good for all of us. 

What does MaRDI mean?

MaRDI is an abbreviation.

The abbreviation consists of the first letters of the words “Mathematical,” “Research,” “Data,” and “Initiative.”

MaRDI is the NFDI consortium for research data from the mathematical sciences.

In other words: MaRDI is a group of experts from the area of mathematics under the umbrella of the NFDI.

These experts come from several universities and research institutions.

Why does MaRDI exist?

The data collected by mathematicians is usually very wide-ranging and diverse.

Their research data consists of a very large amount of information.

Much of this information is written in a language consisting of abbreviations and special signs. 

In addition, the texts contain many difficult terms and graphical representations.

However, mathematical research data is not only the result of mathematical research, but also of research in other areas, such as physics, chemistry, biology, and art.

MaRDI wants to bring together research data from different sources.

What does MaRDI do?

The experts at MaRDI have a common goal.

They want to build a large knowledge storage for mathematical research data.

This knowledge storage will give scientists the possibility to collaborate more easily.

To achieve this, they need to store their data in a way that is standardized and connected. 

To make this happen, MaRDI has laid down principles and rules.

These principles and rules are the same for all mathematical research data.

To ensure that scientists follow these rules, MaRDI has developed digital tools for working on computers.

This creates a large community that shares its research data with each other.