Research Data Act

The Research Data Act proposed in the coalition agreement of the CDU/CSU and SPD for 2025–2029 [German] aims to improve access to data for science and to create framework conditions for sharing, storing and securing data. The German Data Forum (RatSWD) expressly welcomes this plan by the federal government and has been actively involved in the discourse since the beginning of the 20th legislative period.

Publications and events of the RatSWD on the topic

• 02/2026
  RatSWD-Statement on the draft bill for a law on the improved use of data for research (Research Data Act) [German only]
• RatSWD press release 29.04.2025
  Innovative strength through data use: RatSWD position on the coalition agreement for the 21st legislative period

• 01/2025
  Demands of the RatSWD for the 21st legislative period [German only]

• RatSWD press release 10.04.2024
  Improving access to research data: The German Data Forum (RatSWD) comments on the BMBF’s key points on the Research Data Act
• RatSWD press release 20.09.2023
  Research Data Act: RatSWD formulates key demands
• 06/2023
  RatSWD Position paper: Key points for a research data law [German only]
• 04/2023
  RatSWD-Statement in the context of the consultation of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research
• 03/2023
  Parliamentary Evening on Data Policy at the 9|KSWD: New Data Culture for Germany – Why is it so difficult? With Prof. Dr Monika Jungbauer-Gans, Prof. Dr Andreas Peichl, Nadine Schön (Member of the German Bundestag, CDU) and Ruppert Stüwe (Member of the German Bundestag, CDU)
• RatSWD press release 15.06.2022
  Better access, better protection: RatSWD position paper on the Research Data Act
• RatSWD press release 08.12.2021
  Modern Research Policy in Sight: Position of the German Data Forum (RatSWD) on the Coalition Agreement at the Federal Level