Goals of the Initialisation phase

Even before the project began, the team developed a modular architecture for the future NFDI Authentication and Authorisation Infrastructure (NFDI-AAI) based on concepts that are already established in the international research communities (AARC). The same applies to the underlying standards and best practices such as attribute profiles and the policy framework. The concept of a Community AAI plays a central role here, for which as-a-service solutions will be developed. During the initialisation phase, these concepts will be implemented and evaluated together with the NFDI community. The experience gained here will be an important basis for the integration phase.

Goals of the Integration phase

This stage focuses on integrating various services into the NFDI-AAI, with different levels of integration complexity addressed by separate work packages. NFDI consortia can integrate some services themselves using provided documentation, while more technically involved integrations will be handled in specific work packages. An incubator, modelled after the GEANT project's concept, will facilitate community-driven development for integrating specific services and extensions, with the involvement of IAM4NFDI and NFDI Consortia representatives.

Goals of the Ramp-up phase

The IAM4NFDI project is advancing into its Ramp-Up phase to transition the established NFDI Authentication and Authorization Infrastructure (NFDI-AAI) consisting of the Community AAI services, the Infrastructure Proxy, and its Policy Framework into an operational, reliable, and sustainable Basic Service. Building upon the successful integration of most NFDI-Consortia, this phase focuses on scaling the service, enhancing the user experience, and supporting the integration of more complex services through incubator projects. IAM4NFDI will continue to proactively integrate the evolving standards and technologies, especially those relevant for the EOSC AAI, to meet future needs of the NFDI in its role as the German national node. To ensure long-term viability, we are establishing a durable operational model with the service providers and want to shape and integrate into the future sustainable governance and funding strategies in close cooperation with the NFDI association and Base4NFDI.