What GO FAIR Foundation does

GO FAIR Foundation is a non-profit foundation headquartered in Leiden, Netherlands (Rijnsburgerweg 10, 2333 AA Leiden), operating with approximately 11 employees to guide organizations on implementing FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data principles for both human and machine consumption. Its core technology is the FAIR principles framework — a metadata and interoperability standards body — rather than a software product, complemented by a suite of services: explicit expert interpretation of each of the 15 FAIR Guiding Principles (F1-F4, A1-A2, I1-I3, R1-R1.3), Implementation Criteria specifications covering Hourglass, Openness, Distribution, and No Lock-in, and the proprietary Three-Point FAIRification Framework (3PFF) with its concept base. The foundation also runs a Qualification Program certifying FAIR Trainers, Facilitators, and Implementers; a Fellows Programme convening leading experts; and Training & Workshops for FAIR capacity building.

The foundation's business model is non-commercial and likely funded through a mix of training/workshop fees, advisory services, qualification program certification, and grants typical of European open-science foundations. Pricing is not publicly disclosed. Distribution runs through direct advisory, country-level GO FAIR National Offices, and a qualified trainer/facilitator network that delivers services globally under the foundation's brand. Partnerships with CODATA (Committee on Data of the International Science Council), LIFES, and the broader GO FAIR international movement position the foundation as a coordinating body within an emerging internet of FAIR data and services. Operating geographies are primarily Europe, with a global aspiration built through the National Offices model.

Name

GO FAIR Foundation

Legal name

GO FAIR Foundation

Website

https://gofairfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

GO FAIR Foundation is a non-profit foundation in Leiden, Netherlands, that guides organizations on implementing FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data principles through expert interpretations, implementation criteria, training, and a qualified trainer and Fellows network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Research Data Management Services

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132), Grantmaking Foundations (813211)

akta.pro primary industry

Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK)

Keywords

• Research data management
• FAIR data principles
• Data interoperability
• Data stewardship training
• FAIR implementation

Headquarters

HQ city

Leiden

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

GO FAIR Foundation is a Dutch non-profit foundation that guides people and organisations on solutions for making data Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR). It does so by producing expert interpretation of each FAIR sub-principle, publishing Implementation Criteria specifications (Hourglass, Openness, Distribution, No Lock-in), running the Three-Point FAIRification Framework (3PFF) methodology, delivering training and workshops, certifying a trusted network of FAIR Trainers/Facilitators/Implementers, and operating a Fellows Programme and country-level National Offices network.

Product overview

GO FAIR Foundation is a guidance organization that offers a portfolio of interconnected services centered on FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data principles. The core offerings include FAIR Principles Interpretation with detailed breakdowns of all principles (F1-F4, A1-A2, I1-I3, R1-R1.3), Implementation Criteria specifications (covering Hourglass, Openness, Distribution, No Lock-in), and a Qualification Program for building trusted networks of FAIR Trainers, Facilitators, and Implementers. The Training & Workshops service uses the Three-Point FAIRification Framework (3PFF) to build capacity, while the Fellows Programme mobilizes expert networks to advance FAIR boundaries. National Offices extend reach at country level. The organization also provides advisory services on all stages of FAIR implementation and convenes community-based meetings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• FAIR Principles Interpretation Expert, community-validated interpretation of the FAIR Guiding Principles (F1, F2, F3, F4, A1, A1.1, A1.2, A2, I1, I2, I3, R1, R1.1, R1.2, R1.3) for research organisations, data professionals, and policymakers seeking to make data Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable for both people and machines.
• FAIR Implementation Criteria Specifications that guide FAIR implementation choices across four key interpretations: Hourglass, Openness, Distribution, and No Lock-in. Targeted at organisations and implementers selecting how to operationalise FAIR principles.
• FAIR Qualification Programme Certification and qualification framework building a trusted network of FAIR Trainers, Facilitators, and Implementers. For individual data professionals and organisations seeking certified experts to deliver or consume FAIR services.
• Fellows Programme A community of leading FAIR experts and Fellows engaging with the broader community to advance and extend FAIR data principles. For senior data leaders, researchers, and policy advisors contributing to the FAIR agenda.
• Training & Workshops Training and workshops based on the Three-Point FAIRification Framework (3PFF), designed to build skills and know-how for FAIRifying data and to enhance FAIR capacity building. For research organisations, national offices, and individual practitioners.
• Three-Point FAIRification Framework (3PFF) Structured methodology and concept base for FAIR implementation, providing organisations with a step-by-step framework to FAIRify their data and build FAIR capacity.
• National Offices Network Network of GO FAIR National Offices supporting GO FAIR involvement and FAIR implementation at the country level. For national governments and institutions seeking localised FAIR delivery.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• CODATAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCODATA is a Committee on Data of the International Science Council that works to advance the inter-disciplinary science and technology of data. GO FAIR collaborates with CODATA as part of building and sustaining an emerging internet of FAIR data and services.
• LIFEScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLIFES (Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Fluid Etching Sciences or similar data-focused organization) collaborates with GO FAIR Foundation to build and sustain an emerging internet of FAIR data and services.
• GO FAIR (International Movement)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGO FAIR is an initiative that works to develop and implement FAIR data principles. The GO FAIR Foundation collaborates with the broader GO FAIR movement to build and sustain an emerging internet of FAIR data and services.

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• European Open Science Cloud (EOSC): EU-funded initiative building a web of FAIR data and services across Europe. Comparable as a much larger institutional actor that also promotes FAIR implementation, with greater funding scale and regulatory leverage than GO FAIR.
• W3C (World Wide Web Consortium): International standards body for web technologies. Comparable as a much larger, established standards organization producing interoperable technical specifications relevant to FAIR's "I" (Interoperable) component.
• DataCite: International non-profit providing DOIs and metadata for research data. Comparable as a foundational FAIR-enabling infrastructure provider with established governance and broader operational scale than GO FAIR.

Regional players

• OpenAIRE: European infrastructure supporting Open Science and FAIR-compliant research data management. Comparable as a Europe-anchored organization providing services and guidelines that align with FAIR principles, including training and policy advocacy.
• DANS (Data Archiving and Networked Services): Dutch institute for research data archiving and reuse, also based in the Netherlands. Comparable in advancing FAIR-aligned research data practices, with a regional focus on archiving while GO FAIR focuses on standards interpretation and training.

Direct peers

• FORCE11: Community organization advancing scholarly communication and research data sharing through standards and best practices. Comparable as a community-driven body producing frameworks and guidance relevant to FAIR, with overlapping audiences in academia and research.
• CODATA (Committee on Data for Science and Technology): Interdisciplinary body on data science and technology under the International Science Council. Directly comparable as GO FAIR's named strategic partner, working on data principles, standards, and capacity building with overlapping scientific communities.
• Research Data Alliance (RDA): International community-driven organization developing recommendations and resources on research data sharing and reuse. Directly comparable as a multi-stakeholder convener focused on improving data interoperability and reuse—closely aligned with GO FAIR's mission.

Others

• Zenodo (CERN): Open research data repository operated by CERN. Adjacent comparability as a widely used FAIR-aligned repository infrastructure, though primarily an enabling platform rather than a guidance/training organization.

Emerging players

• Dryad: Open-access data repository publishing platform supporting FAIR-compliant research data. Comparable as a specialized, FAIR-aligned data publishing service, with narrower scope (deposition) compared to GO FAIR's training and interpretation focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/go-fair-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about GO FAIR Foundation