Hochschule für Gesundheit · University of Applied Sciences · Gesundheitscampus 8 · 44801 Bochum Raising awareness for RDM: The importance of multipliers within the institution anke.osterhoff@hs-gesundheit.de Osterhoff, Anke & Koch, Katharina Hochschule für Gesundheit, Bochum, Germany State of RDM at UAS Professional research data management (RDM) is becoming increasingly important not only at universities but also at universities of applied sciences (UAS). This is partly due to DFG and other authorities’ regulations regarding RDM, which means that more and more third-party funding bodies require RDM for funding. Additionally, research at UAS is often practical and application-oriented, which means that the findings and results can quickly flow into different areas of society, the economy, and culture to create innovation and transformation. Research data at UAS therefore has yet rather underutilized scientific, cultural, and economic potential, especially in terms of its subsequent applied use. Professional RDM is essential for realizing these opportunities. Researchers and institutions are becoming increasingly sensitive to its potential. Yet, UAS are burdened with high teaching loads and relatively little funds for research, while RDM is often not funded at all. Starting points Bringing RDM into practice at the institutional level and raising awareness among researchers, administrative and infrastructural stakeholders is challenging. Thus, we placed special focus on the role of voluntary multipliers within the institution. These voluntary multipliers are also referred to as “data champions” [1] and can be considered key actors for raising awareness for RDM among researchers as their peers and can serve to complement the work of professional RDM staff (such as data stewards). In our example, RDM as a concept was initially introduced by the Research and Transfer Office with the support of university leadership, which recognized RDM as strategically important. The initial situation was as follows: • no professional RDM staff • all efforts to establish RDM took place on a voluntary basis • consultation with RDM-initiatives • contacting associated working groups for guidance Strategies for increased institutional RDM awareness Our first goal was to create a trickle-down effect by making RDM a topic of discussion in several institutional committees, starting with UAS leadership. This includes regular reporting about RDM and linking RDM with other current topics, e.g. the institution's digitization strategy or establishing a local repository. Furthermore, specific measures have been initiated to establish services related to RDM, e.g. by acquiring third-party funding for RDM- related research. Thanks to said funding, a data steward (0,5 FTE) is currently developing subject-specific RDM services and providing practical support for researchers. Another important step to make RDM visible in the institution was to appoint a professorial, voluntary RDM representative. Said professor serves as an important multiplier due to their RDM-related expertise and research interests. They can be considered a sort of data champion due to their specific RDM-knowledge [2]. We selected them since they have a comprehensive understanding of the importance of well-planned research data management practice and are passionate about sharing discipline-specific expertise and advancing FAIR principles and good scientific/RDM practice [1]. In doing so, the RDM representative is one of our institution’s key actors in promoting changes in research culture towards RDM and Open Science. They work in close collaboration with the Research and Transfer Office and data steward. Additionally, their feedback and assessment have been crucial to improving our RDM services. As a long-standing professor, they are experienced, trusted, and well known at the institution. The role benefits greatly from selecting a low-threshold contact person for academic peers to ask about R