Bridging The Research Data Management Skills Gap: The Fair'sFair Impact Award Scheme As A Model For Professional Development Through Mentorship

The evolution of research data management (RDM) practices, driven by policy changes, technological advances, and the growing emphasis on FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data principles, has created significant skills gaps within the community of RDM professionals. The FAIR's FAIR Impact Award Scheme, coordinated by the Digital Curation Centre at the University of Edinburgh as part of the international FAIR Impact consortium project, represents an innovative response to these challenges, offering a structured mentorship programme that pairs experienced practitioners with emerging professionals to foster knowledge transfer, skill development, and community building within the RDM ecosystem.