The OSTrails project organised a mentorship programme designed to promote learning and skills development in the project's core areas, namely machine-actionable Data Management Plans (maDMPs), FAIR Assessment of research outputs, and Scientific Knowledge Graphs (SKGs). Participants received personalised guidance, support, and opportunities to learn from the experiences of leading experts in the field.
The programme ran from September 2025 to June 2026, during which several mentoring sessions were held between mentors and mentees, organised according to the project’s core areas.
The mentorship programme brought together a global cohort, with approximately 45 meetings took place.
An introductory session was held to present the programme and allow mentors and mentees to get to know each other. In the following months, until June 2026, mentoring sessions took place and were scheduled according to the interests of the mentees, enabling them to engage with different mentors based on their areas of preference.
The programme concluded with a collective closing session at the end of June 2026, dedicated to presenting and reflecting on the results achieved, sharing feedback from both mentors and mentees on their participation experience, providing updates on the progress of the OSTrails project, and offering an overview of the training materials available and currently being developed. This session indicated the programme’s role in strengthening community capacity by supporting the adoption of best practices, the implementation of OSTrails services and specifications, and the consolidation of a European collaborative network centred on DMPs, SKGs, and FAIR assessment.
The overall assessment presented during the session demonstrated that several key objectives had been achieved, particularly direct access to project experts, the enhancement of skills in key areas, the creation of networking opportunities, and tailored support aligned with participants’ needs.
The session also provided an opportunity to highlight the resources made available by the project, which serve as a foundation for supporting the implementation of OSTrails tools, services, and specifications, including documentation, GitHub, deliverables, and training resources.
It was also a moment to thank both mentors and mentees for their dedication, knowledge sharing, and the role of this collaboration in the growth of the OSTrails community, as well as in the personal and professional development of those involved.
In summary, the OSTrails mentorship programme has established itself as a key initiative for the project's core areas. Through expert guidance, personalised support, and networking opportunities, the programme not only fostered individual growth but also strengthened the professional community in the field. By enabling direct contact with experts and encouraging the exchange of practical knowledge, OSTrails contributed to the consolidation of best practices and the continuous development of its participants.
OSTrails training and support initiatives can be followed at: https://ostrails.eu/training
