In September 2025, the TU Wien Research Data Repository, opens an external URL in a new window was awarded the internationally recognised CoreTrustSeal (CTS) certification, reaffirming that TU Wien is among the pioneers in establishing a reliable and sustainable research infrastructure.
The high standards and intensive dialogue with the external reviewers sometimes required patience. However, the effort was well worth it: the process provided valuable momentum for the further development of the service. In particular, the exchange with the CTS community played an important role in the targeted optimisation of internal workflows.
The idea behind the CoreTrustSeal
CoreTrustSeal, opens an external URL in a new window is a certification for data repositories that are considered trustworthy. While the exact CTS requirements are revised every few years, the core ideas of what it means to be trustworthy stay the same over time. In essence, repositories have to prove their competence in three key areas:
- Organisational infrastructure - organisational persistence and ability to handle legal and ethical questions
- Digital object management - quality assurance and long-term availability of content
- Information technology & security - soundness and security of the technical basis
Under CTS requirements, the system’s purpose and target audience must be clearly defined and documented in the relevant policies. Furthermore, TU Wien must demonstrate a commitment to supporting the system sustainably, with a coherent and transparent governance structure involving all participating organisational units. The detailed technical, organisational, and security-related information can be found in the CTS Requirements Report, opens an external URL in a new window.
FAIR, reliable, and locally stored
In the TU Wien Research Data Repository, every dataset is carefully reviewed before publication and assigned a DOI. Metadata, complete contextual information, licences, and file formats are checked to maximise FAIRness and build trust. The technical infrastructure is provided by Campus IT, with location-redundant backups maintained across multiple sites at TU Wien. For researchers, the service provides additional security through authentication and access control systems.
The CTS certification underscores TU Wien’s strong commitment to operating the system reliably and ensuring its long-term continuity. Users can trust that their data will remain findable and reusable in the future. At the same time, the repository meets the requirements of funders and publishers who rely on trustworthy platforms.
Austria’s first certified institutional repository
The TU Wien Research Data Repository, opens an external URL in a new window is currently one of four Austrian data repositories that have achieved the CTS certification, joining AUSSDA, opens an external URL in a new window, GAMS, opens an external URL in a new window, and Tethys, opens an external URL in a new window. With the others all being disciplinary repositories, it is the first institutional research data repository to achieve certification in Austria. The TU Wien Research Data Repository is also the first InvenioRDM-based system worldwide to receive this certification, highlighting TU Wien’s role as a driving force in the open repositories community.
Contact
Barbara Sánchez Solís
Center for Research Data Management
TU Wien
+43 1 58801 406120
barbara.sanchez@tuwien.ac.at