Improving the FAIRness and Sustainability of the NHGRI Resources Ecosystem

TL;DR

This paper reports on evaluating NHGRI-funded genomic resources' adherence to FAIR principles and sustainability, identifying challenges, and developing recommendations through community engagement and a workshop to improve data management and resource longevity.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive framework for enhancing FAIRness and sustainability of genomic resources via community-driven recommendations and targeted strategies.

Findings

Identified key challenges in metadata, identifiers, and data curation.

Developed targeted recommendations for improving FAIR practices.

Established a framework for ongoing assessment and enhancement.

Abstract

In 2024, NHGRI-funded genomic resource projects completed a Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) and interviews to evaluate their application of FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) principles and sustainability. Key challenges were identified in metadata tools, data curation, variant identifiers, and data processing. Addressing these needs, we engaged the community through webinars and discussions, leading to a two-day workshop in March 2025. The workshop developed targeted recommendations, including improving transparency, standardizing identifiers, enhancing usability, implementing APIs, leveraging AI/ML for curation, and evaluating impact. These outcomes provide a framework for advancing FAIR practices, fostering collaboration, and strengthening the sustainability of NHGRI resources.