RADAR Release v1.25: Metadata Schema v9.3 and RO-Crate Metadata Files

Published: 16.07.2026

Overview

As of July 16, 2026, RADAR Cloud is available in software version v1.25.0 (frontend) / v1.18.0 (backend).

With this software release, we have updated our RADAR metadata schema to version 9.3 and now support the automatic generation of standards-compliant RO-Crate metadata files. In addition, we have implemented bug fixes and modernized core frameworks and libraries to ensure that RADAR remains high-performing, secure, and future-proof in the long term.

 

The changes in detail:

RADAR Metadata Schema v9.3

We have updated the RADAR metadata schema to version 9.3 and implemented pending adjustments to the current DataCite Metadata Kernel 4.7.

The changes in detail:

  • Addition of the new optional metadata element „Version"
  • Addition of the value „VersionNotes" for the “descriptionType” attribute
  • Addition of the following values for the relatedIdentifierType attribute:
    „RAiD" (Research Activity Identifier) for referencing research projects
    „SWHID" (Software Heritage Identifier) for referencing archived software artifacts

With the new metadata element “Version,” we are paving the way for a future versioning feature in RADAR. This feature will be based on a canonical DOI (Concept DOI) for all versions of a dataset, as well as a DOI for each individual dataset version. We will, of course, keep you informed about further implementation details.

All changes associated with the RADAR metadata schema v9.3 are now available via our form-based metadata editor, in the sample files for uploading annotations via XML, and via our RADAR REST API*.

The new v9.3 schema is backward-compatible with the previous versions v9.0, v9.1, and v9.2.

All changes are also documented in the revision history of the XML schemas:

For more information, please visit our support pages or refer directly to our metadata schema documentation (PDF, in German language). Starting on page 3, you’ll find a brief overview of all changes.  

* Note for users of the RADAR REST API: Following the update to the metadata schema, you must use the schema version “version”: “9.3” in the POST body when creating new records.

Automatic Generation of RO-Crate Metadata Files

For published and archived datasets, RADAR now automatically generates a RO-Crate metadata file (ro-crate-metadata.json), which is available for download from the corresponding RADAR landing page. This extends our service with an internationally established standard for the machine-readable description of digital research objects.

The metadata file complies with the international RO-Crate standard developed and maintained by researchobject.org. It describes the structure of a dataset (files and folders) as well as its metadata in a standardized, machine-readable format. In addition, it contains structured information about the included files and folders, such as file sizes, formats, and timestamps.

The RO-Crate metadata file also complements the recently introduced streaming functionality for individual files and folders from the dataset archive (TAR file). It serves as a machine-readable Table of Contents (ToC) for the dataset archive, enabling applications to identify and automatically retrieve individual files and folders.

The RO-Crate metadata file also contains DOI fragment identifiers, which are used to permanently reference individual files and folders within a dataset. A convenient integration of this functionality into the RADAR landing pages is planned for one of the upcoming releases.

By supporting RO-Crate, we improve the interoperability of published research data and facilitate its automated reuse in modern research data infrastructures, FAIR workflows, and AI-supported applications. At the same time, we are laying an important foundation for the future support of FAIR Digital Objects (FDOs).

Further Improvements and Software Maintenance

In addition to the new features mentioned above, we have also implemented bug fixes and comprehensive technological upgrades and software maintenance. This includes, among other things, updating core frameworks and libraries. Through this work, we are continuously improving RADAR’s stability, maintainability, and future-proofing.

 

 

 

Note: This software release also affects the community-specific publicaion services for research data based on RADAR: