Funded in 2026 – The project aims to expand the DSpace-CRIS data model so that instruments and facilities can be added to the snapshot for the institutional research activity. DSpace-CRIS is an increasingly popular open-source alternative to implement an institutional research information management system (RIMS/CRIS). With 54 instances from 21 different countries on the euroCRIS Directory of Research Information Systems (DRIS) at the time of writing, DSpace-CRIS is by far the most popular open-source software solution in the directory. This is because its expanded data model allows the main research entities (such as researchers, organisations, projects, publications, datasets, etc) to be effectively collected and cross-linked.

The INST-DSpace project plan includes the modelling of this new research entity in CERIF (Common European Research Information Format) by euroCRIS on the basis of the work done by the RDA PIDINST WG, its implementation in the DSpace-CRIS version under development by 4Science and its real-life testing by the Technical University of Hamburg via their DSpace-CRIS-based institutional CRIS TORE.

The recent announcement for the merger between DSpace and DSpace-CRIS means that this functionality will eventually become available to any institution currently operating a DSpace-based institutional repository.

By allowing institutions using DSpace-CRIS to showcase their research equipment and facilities, this development will deepen the implementation of Open Science in line with the Barcelona Declaration for Open Research Information.