Training scientists to make their data FAIR

I’m sure many of you have experienced frustration when trying to access an intriguing dataset that either doesn’t exist, isn’t open, or is set up in an impossibly unintuitive manner. Part of that problem stems from a lack of training of early-career scientists in how to make their data findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR). Thankfully, Maranno and other members of the AgBioData Education working group have created a free, online curriculum to support the training of undergraduate and graduate students. The curriculum includes seven lesson modules and was designed around core concepts and specific learning objectives needed to use databases following the FAIR principles. These lessons and their objectives are described in this manuscript, which gives educators an overview of the key ideas covered in the curriculum. The lessons themselves are housed and freely available on the AgBioData Zenodo community https://zenodo.org/records/14278084. They have also developed a Curriculum Implementation/Development Program (https://www.agbiodata.org/agb-education-implement-awards) to financially support individuals who wish to implement and/or contribute to the curriculum; check it out. This is an excellent, much needed, freely accessible resource that will help all who seek, use, teach, or want to learn about databases. (Summary by Mary Williams @PlantTeaching.bsky.social) Database 10.1093/database/baaf034