Scientific software is becoming increasingly important to ensure the success of research and generate new knowledge. However, the impact of code for science has not yet been recognized at the national level. Moreover, existing evaluation measures for research do not yet support sustainable work on scientific software. The situation is further complicated by the fact that conventional, industrial software engineering methods cannot be transferred one to one to scientific software. Therefore, Research Software Engineering (RSE) is forming as a new subject of investigation in Europe, Germany, and the Helmholtz Association.

In this context, the concept behind the Helmholtz Platform for Research Software Engineering (HiRSE) sees the establishment of central activities in RSE and the targeted, sustainable funding of strategically important software by Community Software Infrastructure (CSI) groups as mutually supportive aspects of a single entity.

In a first “preparatory study”, HiRSE_PS evaluated the core elements of the HiRSE concept and their interactions in practice over the funding period of three years. One work package dealt with the operation of CSI groups, in particular also for young codes, and a second one with consulting and networking. The goal of the preparatory study was the further refinement of the concept, which can then be rolled out to the entire Helmholtz Information, or, if desired, to the entire Helmholtz Association with high prospects of success and high efficiency.

As of October 2024, HiRSE is now the (flexible) Joint Lab “Helmholtz Information - Research Software Engineering”, with an extended funded period until the end of 2027.