GFZ – Research Software

Production of a video to show GFZ researchers, in an informative and motivating way, how they can license software they have developed through dedicated transfer channels, and how the department responsible at GFZ — the Transfer & Innovation team — can support them in doing so. The aim is to present the process clearly, so that researchers understand how they can make their software accessible to the public or to other target groups. The added value and opportunities of licensing are highlighted. As software solutions become increasingly indispensable to the process of scientific discovery, the sustainable handling of research software — that is, software developed and/or used for scientific research — has become part of good scientific practice. To meet this standard and address the associated challenges, GFZ has, since November 2015, been jointly developing and regularly updating guidelines, guides and other documents and materials that serve as a binding framework and source of support for the professional handling of research software. This film aims to help GFZ researchers learn about the processes for licensing open-source and proprietary research software, and about their benefits.