FAIR AIMS - Automated IGSN Management System (FAIR AIMS) is a joint project of the Helmholtz Centers GFZ, AWI and HZB, which is funded by the Helmholtz Metadata Collaboration (HMC) from 2025-2027 as part of the HMC Project Cohort 2024.

Physical samples form the basis for many research results and data. The IGSN International Generic Sample Number (IGSN) is a globally unique, persistent and web-resolvable identifier for physical objects that makes samples discoverable and enables direct links between data, publications, the original samples and the records of their creation. By integrating physical specimens into the workflows of digital data and metadata curation, they become visible, citable and reusable. The IGSN closes one of the last gaps in the complete provenance of research results. 

Originally developed in the field of geosciences, we are seeing an increasing interest in the use of IGSNs in other research areas, such as archaeology, life or material sciences with billions of natural or synthetic objects. The IGSN International Generic Sample Number is operated by an international non-profit member organization, the IGSN e.V., and has been registered as DataCite IGSN-IDs since January 2023 as part of a strategic partnership between IGSN e.V. and DataCite.

FAIR AIMS builds on the successful HMC project FAIR WISH, whose most important result is the FAIR SAMPLES template. This modular template, developed for the geosciences, allows users to select sample type-specific metadata properties and create customized sample descriptions. It contains a set of linked data vocabularies and is the basis for the semi-automatic generation of the IGSN metadata XMLs, the batch upload to the DataCite server for IGSN registration and the source for the IGSN landing pages. 

FAIR AIMS will develop an online version of the FAIR SAMPLES template (Online Template Generator) with automated workflows for IGSN registration, integration of linked data vocabularies as drop-down lists and automatic metadata quality checks during upload (Template Upload Module, TUM). A possible integration of these tools into the sample management system of Helmholtz Zentrum Berlin “SEPIA” with specific metadata profiles for materials science is being examined.

Tasks

To improve the accessibility and reliability of sample data, to facilitate collaborative research and to promote open science practices, FAIR AIMS has three main objectives:

• Development of an IGSN online template generator, a tool for guided generation of sample metadata templates for different sample types, and a template upload module with metadata quality checks during upload.
• Subject-specific and harmonized IGSN metadata profiles for EaE samples (FAIR WISH follow-up project), visualized on IGSN landing pages and a metadata database to ensure consistent sample descriptions for automated quality assurance processes.
• Integration of IGSN registration into the HZB sample database: development of metadata profiles for 1-2 sample types and proof of concept 

With the combined experience from the Earth and environmental community and the domain knowledge of materials science at HZB, we want to extend the application of IGSNs to other research areas and demonstrate their broad applicability.

Time frame

• 01.07.2025 – 30.06.2027

Funding Agency

• Helmholtz Impuls und Vernetzungsfond 

Project coordination

• Kirsten Elger (GFZ 5.1)

Personell

• Simone Frenzel (GFZ 5.1)
• Birgit Heim (AWI)
• Rolf Krahl (HZB)
• Mareike Wiezcorek (AWI)

Cooperation

• Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung
• Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie