Data Stewardship – Austrian National Strategy and Alignment

Within the FAIR Data Austria project, supported by the Federal Ministry for Education, Science, and Research (BMBWF), a national strategy has been established to advance the creation of tailored Data Stewardship solutions for the Austrian context. The strategy, formalized as a toolbox, delineates various Data Steward models, corresponding competencies, and accessible training resources. Despite the crucial role of Data Stewardship in supporting data-driven scientific research, Austrian universities encounter challenges in its implementation. Issues include lack of consensus on the skills, roles, and responsibilities of Data Stewards, coupled with insufficient funding for these positions. This article explores these challenges and emphasizes the importance of addressing them to promote effective Data Stewardship within the Austrian academic landscape.