Given the complexity of the project, but also the novelty of the framework, Base4NFDI has committed in its project proposal to an external evaluation of its decision-making and working processes after two years. The goal of the evaluation is to assess the progress and outcomes of that initiative thus far, as well as to identify areas for improvement, ensuring that the infrastructure continues to effectively support the research community. The concept is set to explore three aspects: the efficiency of the project structure and internal organisation, the relevance and coherence of the process for developing a Basic Service and the relevance of the project for the community.After a public tender procedure, the Technopolis Group has been commissioned to carry out the evaluation of Base4NFDI in the period from December 2024 to August 2025. The purpose of this inception report is to define the key questions of the evaluation, to specify the methodology to be used and to finalise the data collection steps in consultation with the client. The inception report forms the basis for all further steps of the evaluation.

Funded by DFG as part of NFDI - Grant Number 5521463400.