Brief Description
Relational databases are widely used across scientific disciplines, yet their sustainable operation remains an underdeveloped aspect of modern research data management. DBRepo as a Service aims to close this gap by providing a sustainable, accessible, and FAIR-aligned solution for managing, using, and publishing functional research databases.
The service builds on DBRepo, an open-source software developed at TU Wien, and preserves the full functionality of relational (SQL) databases over time. Version-specific DOIs ensure reproducible queries and transparent citation. Beyond offering the service as “Software as a Service” for TU Darmstadt and a broad external user community, the project also focuses on extending DBRepo’s capabilities and establishing an active user and developer community to secure long-term availability and continuous development.
The project is carried out in close collaboration with identified scientific use cases whose databases we manage within DBRepo. Their real-world requirements guide the user-driven and practice-oriented enhancement of the platform. Key development goals include:
- Increasing the semantic richness of stored information
- Implementing an AI assistant that translates natural-language queries into SQL
- Providing a hosting environment for presentation layers that make database content accessible as websites
- Developing a SIARD-based export function to enable transfer into long-term archival systems
With DBRepo as a Service, we are building an infrastructure that redefines sustainable management of relational research databases and brings FAIR principles into practical, everyday use.
Project status
ongoing, 1.4.2026 – 31.3.2029
Project members
Further informations
Funding
