Cross-Domain Interoperability Framework (CDIF)
A 'lingua franca' for FAIR implementation across domain boundaries.
Introducing CDIF
The Cross Domain Interoperability Framework (CDIF) is a set of practical, implementation-level guidelines designed to improve data management practices within any community and lower the barriers to cross-domain data reuse.
Many important research questions demand a multi-disciplinary approach in which data and resources are used across domain and infrastructure boundaries. In such scenarios, domain-specific community standards fall short of the requirements for FAIR exchange of the critical metadata and other information needed.
CDIF recommends standards and methodologies for achieving different levels of interoperability necessary for reusing data across diverse domains. It is not intended to replace existing community standards, but to supplement them for communication across domain and infrastructure boundaries.
Target Audience
CDIF is aimed primarily at data infrastructures, i.e. those organisations which develop, maintain, and disseminate FAIR resources for reuse, often as centralised points of access within their communities. Through standardizing metadata exchange, CDIF enables these organizations to better support their mission robustly and reliably.
CDIF Core Profiles
The CDIF framework is composed of several core profiles that specify how to use existing standards to achieve interoperability in specific functional areas. These profiles are designed to be used together or independently, depending on the needs of the implementation.
Key Profiles
- Discovery: Based on DCAT and Schema.org, providing a common way to describe datasets and services across domains.
- Data Access and Licensing: Using ODRL and Data Usage Vocabularies to standardize how access is requested and granted.
- Controlled Vocabularies: Leveraging SKOS for representing and sharing the terminologies used to describe data.
- Data Integration: Practical guidelines for structural integration of multi-domain data.
- Universals (Temporal/Spatial): Standard ways to represent common cross-domain concepts like time and location.
Governance
CDIF is a community-driven initiative that operates under a robust governance framework to ensure its long-term sustainability and relevance.
- Directed by CODATA: The framework is strategically directed by CODATA, the Committee on Data of the International Science Council.
- Governed by AG and WG: Technical and strategic decisions are made by the Advisory Group (AG) and various Working Groups (WG).
- Community Intellectual Property: All original work produced within CDIF is held by CODATA on behalf of the global community.
- Open Licensing: CDIF recommendations and documentation are licensed under CC-BY 4.0, encouraging wide adoption and reuse.
Groups
Participation in CDIF is open to individuals and organizations committed to advancing cross-domain data interoperability.
- Working Group Based: Participation typically happens through our specialized Working Groups on a number of topics to advance CDIF.
- Joint the CDIF Community: Joint the CDIF Community to receive regular news and be invited to meetings and webinars.
- How to Join: Anyone interested in contributing to CDIF can express interest in joining a working group.
- Get in Touch: Contact the CDIF coordinator or a Working Group chair for more information on participation and active projects.
History
The development of CDIF is the result of years of international collaboration aimed at solving the "last mile" problem of data interoperability. It builds upon established domain-neutral standards to create a practical framework for cross-domain data exchange.
- History of CDIF: CDIF emerged from the WorldFAIR project and subsequent CODATA initiatives.
- A Solid Foundation: It integrates lessons learned from early implementations and pilot projects across various scientific domains.
Projects and Initiatives
CDIF is being actively implemented and tested across a wide range of projects and initiatives worldwide. These partners play a crucial role in validating and refining the framework through real-world application.
- Implementing CDIF: Projects leveraging CDIF range from environmental science to social sciences and beyond.
- Building Partnerships: We work closely with international data organizations and research infrastructures to ensure broad alignment.
Tools
Tools are essential for the effective adoption and implementation of CDIF. We emphasize the development and sharing of tools that automate the creation and consumption of CDIF-compliant metadata.
- Valuable Ecosystem: A growing ecosystem of open-source tools supports various aspects of the CDIF lifecycle.
- Top Tools: Check out our curated list of high-impact tools for discovery, integration, and mapping.
Landscape
The CDIF Landscape is a community-driven inventory of the tools, standards, projects, and organizations that surround and support the framework.
- Interactive Inventory: Explore the full landscape at landscape.cdif.org.
- Contribute: Anyone can add or remove items from the landscape via our GitHub repository.
- Get Involved: File an issue or submit a pull request at Cross-Domain-Interoperability-Framework/cdif-landscape.
User Stories
Content not yet available.
User stories will showcase how CDIF is used in practice, providing real-world examples of how it solves interoperability challenges.
Tutorials
Content not yet available.
Tutorials will provide step-by-step guidance on how to implement CDIF in your own projects and data infrastructures.