The Climate-Smart Data Collaboration Centre (CS-DCC) creates and curates tools, catalogues, training opportunities, learning materials, and other resources, with a focus on promoting FAIR data practices throughout the data lifecycle. We put an emphasis on (meta)data governance and harmonization, as well as research data management and data analytics.
The Semantic Engine, created by CS-DCC researchers from Agri-food Data Canada at the University of Guelph, helps you write clear data documentation, build sharing agreements, write descriptive metadata, collect verified data, and standardize metadata collection. The Semantic Engine has three main components: schemas, agreements, and records.
Schemas help you describe your data in a way that is easily readable by both humans and machines. A schema is a type of metadata that describes the data’s underlying structure and can include useful information such as the units of the data, the data’s format, and more detailed descriptions.
The Data Request Tracker (DRT) within the Semantic Engine helps you share your data. You can describe in custom terms how you want to make your work available. The DRT is an open source project hosted on GitHub. Email adc@uoguelph.ca to try a DRT Demo
The Semantic Engine Records function is a catalogue writer that helps you catalogue your data, your project, and more in a machine-readable format. This makes it easier for others to track your work and cite what you make.
The DataHarmonizer, created by CS-DCC researchers from the Centre for Infectious Disease Genomics and One Health (CIDGOH) at Simon Fraser University, is an open-source tool for faster data harmonization, validation, aggregation, and analysis of genomics contextual information. It is a standardized browser-based spreadsheet editor and validator that can be run offline and locally.
Access DataHarmonizer on GitHub
Watch the DataHarmonizer overview on YouTube
The TermHarvester is a python script developed by CS-DCC researchers from the Centre for Infectious Disease Genomics and One Health (CIDGOH) at Simon Fraser University to synchronize agency- or research-project-managed vocabularies with known-good online resources.
Access TermHarvester on GitHub
Watch the TermHarvester intro on YouTube
The Genovalia CS-DCC Catalogue (Laval University) is a web-based platform for cataloging and exploring research data. It allows users to view structured datasets, their metadata, and their documentation to facilitate the identification, sharing, and promotion of scientific data obtained through ICT projects in the CSAFS portfolio.
Visit the Genovalia CS-DCC Data Catalogue
Watch the Genovalia CS-DCC Catalogue Demo on YouTube
DNAstack’s CS-DCC Data Explorer contains collections of projects, schemas, data, and metadata related to the Climate-Smart Agriculture and Food Systems (CSAFS) initiative, supported by Genome Canada.
Explore CS-DCC Data Collections on DNAstack
The ContextHub is a built-for-purpose data catalogue created by CS-DCC researchers at the University of Guelph, Simon Fraser University, and Université Laval. It contains data descriptions, schemas, sample collections, and projects (following RAiD – Research Activity Identifier). ContextHub is for active data and active research (e.g. raw data, early work, or not suitable in public repositories) and enables data discovery among peer research groups. It allows for context-aware searching and prioritizes FAIR data standards.
A full version of ContextHub is coming Fall 2026!
Visit the ContextHub Prototype
Watch the ContextHub intro on YouTube
The Microbiome Analysis Workshop is a three-day course jointly hosted by the Canadian Bioinformatics Workshops and the CS-DCC that will provide an introduction to marker-gene analysis, metagenomic and metatranscriptomic data analysis, followed by hands-on practical tutorials to demonstrate the use of relevant bioinformatics and statistical tools.
The workshop is open to everyone, but members of our CSAFS network will be given priority access and are eligible for a reduced rate.
Experience with UNIX and R/Python programming languages is required for this workshop. If this isn’t something you’re familiar with, recordings of a training session with The Carpentries are available to CSAFS members on request by emailing cs.dcc@climatesmartagrifood.ca.
Option 1: Sep 15-17, 2026 at the University of Guelph (Guelph, ON)
Option 2: Jan 2027 (exact date TBD) at the University of Alberta (Edmonton, AB)
The CS-DCC and AG-ACt have jointly launched a self-paced training certificate for members of the CSAFS community: HQPs, ICTs, Genome Canada, Genome Centres, and partners. Build practical knowledge and skills with flexible learning that fits your schedule and supports your climate-smart research!
The CS-DCC supports collaboration between the CSAFS portfolio and our wider research network. Our scholarship program funds trainees (undergraduates, Masters, PhD, and postdocs) to work on projects related to the portfolio’s objectives. We aim to promote engagement of trainees in data science, help develop their careers, and ultimately strengthen Canada’s position in the data processing and analytics research community.
To learn more about our scholarship opportunities, email cs.dcc@climatesmartagrifood.ca.
Agri-food Data Canada: Agri-food Data Canada (ADC) is hosted at the University of Guelph and works with participants of the research data ecosystem to help create tools and training that will increase the value of research data. Their website includes training videos and resources for how to properly format and curate data files up to 5GB onto Borealis (see below).
Borealis: Borealis, the Canadian Dataverse Repository, is a bilingual, multidisciplinary, secure, Canadian research data repository, supported by academic libraries and research institutions across Canada. It is a great resource for institutional ingestion of data and licencing, as well as for data storage and curation (5GB or less).
Digital Research Alliance of Canada: The Digital Research Alliance of Canada (DRAC) serves Canadian researchers, with the objective of advancing Canada’s position as a leader in the knowledge economy on the international stage. By integrating, championing, and funding the infrastructure and activities required for advanced research computing (ARC), research data management (RDM) and research software (RS), they provide the platform for the research community to access tools and services faster than ever before. DRAC is a non-profit organization funded by the Government of Canada. For additional resources at DRAC, contact Catherine Di Vita: divita@alliancecan.ca
Federal Research Data Repository: The Federal Research Data Repository (FRDR) is a bilingual publishing platform for sharing and preserving Canadian research data. It is a curated, general-purpose repository, custom-built for large datasets (>5GB) and is not limited to academic institutions.
Tripal: Tripal is an open-source toolkit for constructions of genomic, genetic, breeding, and biological databases.
Bento: Bento is a collection of free and open-source microservices used to construct data-focused platforms, developed by the Canadian Centre for Computational Genomics. By adhering to existing and anticipated standardized APIs, it facilitates interactions between various -omic science global communities. Its reusable and interoperable components reduce the complexity and overhead of constructing data distribution portals.
Gen3: Gen3 is a data platform for building data commons and data meshes. It consists of open-source software services that support the emergence of healthy data ecosystems by enabling the interoperation and creation of cloud-based data resources.
The Canadian Bioinformatics Hub hosts a variety of bioinformatics workshops across Canada. Their Bioinformatics Workshops are tailored for various skill levels and have in-person, distributed, and virtual options. Visit their website for upcoming workshop opportunities, and for more information.
Statistics Canada offers several data literacy training courses, including both paid teacher-led training and free online self-paced courses.
Calcul Québec offers a wide range of computer-related training courses, including programming, analysis and supercomputer use. Visit their training webpage to find out more about their training courses.
University of Guelph Library hosts a Data Skills Workshop Series each semester, designed to support all levels of researchers at every stage of the research data lifecycle. Self-paced asynchronous and live instructor-led workshops are available. For additional resources from the University of Guelph Library, contact Lucia Costanzo: lcostanz@uoguelph.ca
University of Waterloo offers courses and programs for data science, data analytics, and AI.
University of Toronto Library offer periodic workshops on data management, data science, AI, and more.
University of British Columbia hosts regular workshops on a wide variety of data-related topics, including advanced research computing (ARC), data visualization, data repositories, application programming interfaces (APIs), file naming/formatting, and more. Filter by events offered at UBC Vancouver Library, UBC Okanagan Library, UBC Advanced Research Computing, and Virtual options.
Digital Research Alliance of Canada (DRAC) offers training resources on research data management and navigating data repositories. Check out their Training Modules webpage and their Explora events page (new) for more details.
Global Research Alliance (GRA) on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases has an e-learning program containing three 60-90 min online courses, designed for anyone with an interest in agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. Visit their e-learning page to learn more and take the courses.
Physalia Courses is hosting several courses and workshops on coding in R, Python and other coding languages, data management and analyses for various data types. Visit their website for information on registration and the dates that courses and workshops are being offered.
Government of Canada has updated their website pertaining to Research Data Management. Look through the webpage to see updates on Research Data Management policy, funding opportunities and FAQ.
Athabasca University is hosting an Intro to Research Data Management course. The course is FREE, but due to platform/website limitations it will prompt you to pay/buy the course – just enter the coupon code ‘researchfree’ to bypass payment.
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