Research data management is an essential part of scientific work today. The Data Steward course at Tampere University is designed for doctoral students and other researchers who want to improve their skills in organizing, documenting, and sharing data. The program was developed in collaboration with experts from across Finland.

Participants will learn the fundamental principles of FAIR data, metadata management, ethical and legal aspects of working with data, and gain hands-on experience with tools for data analysis and visualization. The course combines in-person meetings, online instruction, and project work, which can be linked to your own research or organizational projects. The recommended weekly workload is approximately 10 hours.

The full program runs for about a year and provides 15 ECTS, with the option to take only Module 3: FAIR Research Data in the Life Cycle (6 ECTS). The course begins with two in-person days in Tampere (March 9–10, 2026) and continues online, making it possible to combine the course with regular work commitments.

The course runs from March 9 to December 31, 2026. Applications are open until January 31, 2026, and the fee is 1,500 EUR. The course is taught primarily in English. Places are limited and participants are selected on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information and to apply, click here.

Last updated on January 20, 2026