About the Helmholtz RSD
Research software is both a central output of scientific research processes and an indispensable tool for modern science.
The Helmholtz Research Software Directory (RSD) is a web platform promoting the impact, re-use and citiation of research software developed within the Helmholtz Association. It increases the visibility and findability of software by presenting it in its academic context.
Using the Helmholtz RSD
Promote Research Software: Add your software to the RSD to gain more visibility and help other researchers to find, use and cite your code. All users within the Helmholtz Association can add software entries.
Discover Research Software: Looking for a software solution to assist you with your research process? The right tool might already be out there. Browse the over 500 software packages registered in the RSD or filter the projects by keywords, research domains and/or participating organisations.
HIFIS Software Spotlights: The Spotlights highlight outstanding research software developed and maintained at Helmholtz centers. The series began with the first Spotlights published on hifis.net in spring of 2022 and has since moved to the RSD.
Helmholtz Software Quality Indicator
The Helmholtz Software Quality Indicator was developed to help acknowledge research software as scientific output. From 2028 onwards, software publications will be formally considered in the Helmholtz Association's institutional reporting system, using the Hemholtz Software Quality Indicator as a key performance indicator (KPI). Each software publication that meets the minium criteria of the quality indicator will be counted as research output.
The Helmholtz RSD offers a cross-center means of assessing the quality of software publications and collecting key figures: Software maintainers can evaluate their software publications directly in the RSD based on the Helmholtz Software Quality Indicator. Reporters can use the RSD to obtain KPIs on their center's software publications.
The pilot phase for evaluation and reporting in the RSD has begun in 2026. Feedback on the implementation of the quality indicator in the RSD is always appreciated: Please send an e-mail to support@hifis.net.
- Learn more about the Helmholtz Software Quality Indicator
- Learn more about evaluation
- Learn more about reporting
Meet the Team
The Helmholtz RSD is a service provided by HIFIS (Helmholtz Federated IT Services). It is developed and maintained by the eScience Centre at GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences in collaboration with the Netherlands eScience Center.
Christian Meeßen
GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences
Product Owner
Paula Stock
GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences
Software Engineer
Matthias Volk
GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences
Software Engineer
Fabienne Wehrle
GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences
Community Manager