The SoBigData Implementation Phase (IP) is a project under the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) roadmap, aimed at establishing SoBigData as a fully operational European Research Infrastructure (ERIC) for social data science, big data analytics & AI.
Preparatory Phase
SoBigData developed its strategic roadmap, technological foundations, and governance frameworks under the ESFRI roadmap, establishing the basis for a pan-European Research Infrastructure.
Implementation Phase
Currently, the RI is refining and integrating technological components, tools, and services for public use, while fostering active engagement across researchers, industry, policymakers, and citizens.
ERIC Establishment
The pathway to establishing SoBigData as an ERIC is underway, consolidating governance, legal, and financial frameworks to ensure long-term sustainability and European impact.
The Implementation Phase turns the plans developed during the preparatory stage into an operational research infrastructure. It focuses on integrating and improving technologies, tools, and services to make them more accessible and user-friendly for researchers, industry, policymakers, and citizens.
The project promotes inclusive participation, aligns the infrastructure with EOSC and European Data Spaces, and strengthens interoperability and cross-border collaboration. In parallel, it supports the establishment of SoBigData as an ERIC by consolidating its governance, legal, and financial frameworks. This transition will ensure long-term sustainability and reinforce SoBigData’s role as a trusted, pan-European research infrastructure supporting research and evidence-based policymaking.
Objectives
1. Strengthen the legal, financial, and operational maturity of the SoBigData infrastructure
2. Establish national nodes across European countries to ensure distributed access and governance
3. Prepare the formal submission for SoBigData ERIC registration
4. Build a sustainable governance structure for long-term operations
About SoBigData RI
All RI services converge towards this unified vision, featuring a central entry point where users can navigate the catalog and access the RI gateway. The gateway provides researchers and practitioners a collaborative environment, promoting responsible open science practices.
SoBigData represents a solid and trusted base for a vast community of data scientists and researchers. Currently, the RI provides tools to define projects and comply with EU requirements. SoBigData brings together researchers and research organizations that are independent of commercial interests and provides tools for data access as well as ethical and legal assessment with the consultancy of experts in a multi-disciplinary framework.