The team
The Sciensano (meta)data catalogue is supported and maintained by the Data Management Service within Sciensano.
Our role is to coordinate and support good data governance practices across the Institute, ensuring that data assets are documented, discoverable, and managed in line with European standards and legal requirements.
Through this catalogue, we provide a central inventory of datasets managed within Sciensano, enabling researchers, policymakers, collaborators, and the public to efficiently discover and understand available data resources.
Our mission
Our mission is to:
- Promote transparency and discoverability of Sciensano’s data assets
- Support the implementation of the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable)
- Strengthen data governance and metadata quality across the Institute
- Facilitate responsible and secure data reuse for research, public health, and policy development
- Contribute to national and European data initiatives, including the European Health Data Space (EHDS)
Support
We’re here to help you with all your questions related to FAIR principles or data reuse. To get you started, we’ve put together a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section where you’ll find clear answers to the most common topics.
Didn’t find what you were looking for? No problem, our team is just a message away and happy to support you.
Please note: we don’t manage the underlying datasets ourselves. For dataset-specific questions, be sure to contact the point of contact listed in the catalogue entry.
For EHDS external data requests or data access applications, reach out through the Belgian Health Data Agency.
Partners
The Sciensano (meta)data portal operates within a broader national and European data landscape.
Belgian Health Data Agency (HDA)
The portal aligns with Belgian initiatives to strengthen health data governance and facilitate secure data access through the Belgian Health Data Agency.
Data.gov.be
European initiatives
Sciensano contributes to and aligns with European frameworks and projects, including:
- The European Health Data Space (EHDS)
- The EU Open Data Directive (Directive (EU) 2019/1024) is the primary European legal framework governing the re-use of government-held public sector information. It is built on the core principle that government data should be open by default to stimulate economic growth, improve transparency, and fuel AI innovation.
- European Commission-funded research and infrastructure projects
- Interoperability and standardisation initiatives
These collaborations ensure that our metadata practices are compatible with European standards and evolving regulatory frameworks.