DiSSCo | Distributed System of Scientific Collections

DiSSCo is a Dutch research infrastructure dedicated to digitally unifying European natural science collections through shared access and curation practices that comply with FAIR data principles. The initiative aims to create a new business model for one collection by integrating assets from across Europe under common policies.

• Services: DiSSCo provides integrated digital services including the flagship DiSSCover system for specimen curation, annotation, and unified data analysis interpretation.
• Industries: The infrastructure supports natural sciences sectors covering animals, plants, fungi, rocks, and genetic resources held in participating collections.
• Markets: Operations span 23 European countries coordinated through national task forces representing institutions like Naturalis Biodiversity Center and CETAF.
• History: Building on the expertise of CETAF since 1996, DiSSCo launched its research infrastructure activities in 2018 to consolidate scientific community maturity before transitioning to an ERIC status expected by early 2026.