Most scientific data never fuels the discoveries it should.
For every 100 datasets created, about 80 remain in the lab, 20 are shared but rarely reused, fewer than two meet FAIR standards, and only one typically generates new discoveries.
The result: delayed cancer treatments, climate models lacking evidence, and research that cannot be replicated.
Frontiers, the open science publisher, is tackling this problem with the launch of Frontiers FAIR² data managementthe world’s first all-in-one AI-powered service for research data. Designed to transform how data is shared so that it is reusable and creditable, it brings together curation, compliance checks, AI-ready packaging, peer review, an interactive portal, certification and lifetime hosting into a single workflow – ensuring that research funded today will enable faster advances in health, sustainability and technology tomorrow.
FAIR² extends the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable) with an open specification that ensures every dataset is AI-ready and responsibly reusable by humans and machines. Frontiers FAIR² Data Management is the first implementation, launching at a time when research output is growing exponentially and AI is reshaping discovery, transforming principles into practical infrastructure for real impact at scale.
Dr Kamila Markramco-founder and CEO of Frontiers, comments:
“Ninety percent of science disappears into the void. With Frontiers FAIR² Data Management, no dataset or discovery must ever be lost again – every contribution can now fuel progress, earn the credit it deserves, and unleash science.”
AI at the heart
Tasks that once required months of manual work—from curating datasets and checking compliance to creating metadata and publishable results—are now accomplished in minutes by AI Data Steward, powered by Senssciencethe Frontiers company behind FAIR².
With a single submission, researchers receive four outcomes: a certified dataset, a peer-reviewed and citable data article, an interactive data portal with visualizations and AI chat, and a FAIR² certificate. Together, they include quality checks and clear summaries that make the data easier for non-specialists to interpret and simpler to combine across disciplines.
Together, they ensure that each data set is preserved, validated, citable, and reusable, ready to lead to new discoveries while giving scientists the credit they deserve. Frontiers FAIR² also makes data visible and easy to explore, enabling responsible reuse by researchers, policymakers, practitioners, communities and even machines, helping society derive more value from its investment in science.
Flagship Pilot Datasets
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Properties of SARS-CoV-2 variants – Blanket 3,800 spike protein variantsThis dataset links AlphaFold2 and ESMFold structural predictions to ACE2 binding and expression data. It offers a powerful resource for pandemic preparedness, enabling a deeper understanding of behavioral and fitness variants.
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MRI of preclinical brain lesions — A set of harmonized data 343 Diffusion MRI from four research centers, standardized across protocols and aligned for comparability. It supports reproducible biomarker discovery, robust cross-site analysis, and advancements in preclinical traumatic brain injury research.
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Environmental pressure indicators (1990-2050) — Combine observed data and modeled predictions through 43 countries over six decadesThis dataset tracks emissions, waste, population and GDP. It underpins sustainability benchmarking and evidence-based climate policy planning.
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Biodiversity of Indo-Pacific atolls — Expanding 280 atolls spread across five regionsThis dataset integrates records of biodiversity, reef habitats, climate indicators and human use histories. It provides an unprecedented basis for ecological modeling, conservation prioritization and cross-regional research on vulnerable island ecosystems.
Researchers testing the pilots noted that Frontiers FAIR² not only preserves and shares data, but also builds confidence in its reuse – through quality controls, clear summaries for non-specialists, and the reliability needed to combine datasets across disciplines, while ensuring that scientists receive credit.
All pilot datasets comply with the FAIR² open specification, making them responsibly curated, reusable and reliable for long-term human and machine use so that today’s data can accelerate tomorrow’s solutions to society’s most pressing challenges.
Recognition and reuse
Each reuse multiplies the value of the original dataset, ensuring that no discovery is wasted, that each contribution can spark the next breakthrough, and that researchers are recognized for their work.
Dr. Sean Hillco-founder and CEO of Senscience, the Frontiers AI company behind FAIR² Data Management, notes:
“Science invests billions to generate data, but most of it is lost – and researchers rarely get credit. With Frontiers FAIR², every dataset is cited, every scientist recognized – finally rewarding the essential work of creating data. This is how cures, climate solutions and new technologies will reach society faster – this is how we unleash science.”
What researchers say
Dr. Angel BorjaPrincipal Investigator, AZTI, Marine Research, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA):
“I (strongly recommend using) this type of data curation and article publishing because you can generate information very quickly and it is a useful format for all end users.”
Eric SchultesPrincipal Investigator, Leiden University Center for Drug Research (LACDR); Responsible for implementing FAIR, GO FAIR Foundation:
“Frontiers FAIR² perfectly captured the scientific aspects of the project.”
Femke HeddemaResearcher and Health Data Systems Innovation Manager, PharmAccess:
“Frontiers FAIR² makes it easier for researchers and digital health implementers to execute the FAIR principles, proving that making datasets like MomCare reusable doesn’t have to be complex. By enabling transparent, accessible and actionable data, Frontiers FAIR² opens the door to new opportunities in health research.
Dr. Neil HarrisProfessor in Residence, Department of Neurosurgery, Brain Injury Research Center, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA):
“Implementing (Frontiers) FAIR² can provide an objective check of missing data and its quality, useful on many levels. These types of unbiased assessments and data summaries can facilitate understanding by non-specialist experts to ultimately improve data sharing. As the field advances toward the use of Big Data in more disparate subdisciplines, these checks and data summaries will become crucial to maintaining a good understanding of how we could use and combine the multitude of data already acquired in our current analyses.
Maryann Martoneeditor-in-chief, Open Data Commons:
“(Frontiers) FAIR² is one of the simplest and most effective ways to make data FAIR. Every principal investigator wants their data to be findable, accessible, comparable, and reusable – in the lab, with collaborators, and across the scientific community. The real bottleneck has always been the time and effort required. (Frontiers) FAIR² significantly lowers this barrier, putting truly FAIR data within reach of most laboratories.
Dr Vincent Woon Kok SinAssistant Professor, Carbon Neutrality and Climate Change Thrust, Society Hub, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST):
“(Frontiers) FAIR² makes our global waste dataset more visible and accessible, helping researchers around the world who often struggle with sparse and fragmented data. I hope this will expand collaboration and accelerate knowledge in sustainable waste management.”
Dr Sébastien Steiblpostdoctoral researcher, Naturalis Biodiversity Center and University of Auckland:
“True data accessibility goes beyond simply uploading data sheets to a repository. It means making data easy to visualize, explore and understand without necessarily requiring years of training. The (Frontiers) FAIR² platform, with an AI chatbot and interactive visual data exploration and synthesis tools, makes our biodiversity and environmental data widely accessible and usable not only by academics, but also by practitioners, policy makers and local community initiatives.”
About borders
Borders is a leading search publisher. Our role is to provide scientists around the world with a rigorous and efficient publishing experience. Scientists empower society and our mission is to accelerate collaboration and discovery by making science open – enabling researchers to find the solutions we all need to live healthy lives on a healthy planet. Powered by bespoke technology, artificial intelligence and collaborative peer review, our community journals provide experts from more than 1,800 academic fields with an open access platform to publish high-quality, high-impact research. Through our advocacy work to build strong partnerships with businesses, policymakers and educators, we are leading the transition to open science.