This PDF is a comprehensive assessment for the GRDC on leveraging existing data repositories to support grains RD&E. It inventories Australian and international repositories (e.g., GRDC Data Catalogue, AgReFed, ANSIS, NCBI, Phytozome), evaluates interoperability and FAIR compliance, and compares external repository use versus bespoke repository development using 5-year cost and ROI scenarios. The report recommends an API-first, FAIR-metadata hybrid approach (short-term integrations with AgReFed/Research Data Australia, medium-term API links to NCBI/Phytozome, and long-term aggregation on AgReFed architecture) and provides phased budgets, timelines, KPIs, and risk mitigations.
Questions this document answers
97% of repositories operate on free access models (governmentally or internationally funded).
Conservative: External Repository $137,000; Bespoke Repository $875,000 (cost savings $738,000, premium avoided 539%).
Immediate (0–6 months): integrate GRDC Data Catalogue with AgReFed, establish partnerships with CSIRO Data Access Portal and Research Data Australia, and implement soil data integration with the Australian National Soil Archive and ANSIS.
NCBI and Phytozome are explicitly listed as international genomics repositories to integrate with GRDC systems.