[cid:image001.png@01DC6E7A.7D8A18A0] Dear Microbiology community, Looking back, 2025 was a highly successful year for NFDI4Microbiota. We paved the way for our future work by submitting and defending our renewal proposal for the next funding phase starting in October 2026. We passed our mid-term evaluation with flying colors, launched widely used FAIR research services, expanded our training and outreach activities, and strengthened collaborations across NFDI life-science consortia. A major highlight was our Annual Conference in Cologne, which brought the community together for exchange and networking. Please also save the date for our upcoming Annual Conference, 15–17 September 2026, which we will co-organize with other NFDI consortia of the Biodata Interest Group. Mark your calendars and stay tuned, more information coming soon! We wish you a peaceful Christmas, relaxing holidays, and a great start to a healthy and successful 2026. Best regards, The NFDI4Microbiota Consortium ________________________________ Helmholtz-Zentrum für Infektionsforschung GmbH | Inhoffenstraße 7 | 38124 Braunschweig | www.helmholtz-hzi.de Vorsitzende des Aufsichtsrates: Frau MinDir'in Prof. Dr. Veronika von Messling, Bundesministerium für Forschung, Technologie und Raumfahrt Stellvertreter: MinDirig Rüdiger Eichel, Niedersächsisches Ministerium für Wissenschaft und Kultur Wissenschaftlicher Geschäftsführer: Prof. Dr. Josef Penninger - Administrativer Geschäftsführer: Christian Scherf Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung (GmbH) Sitz der Gesellschaft: Braunschweig Handelsregister: Amtsgericht Braunschweig, HRB 477 Unsere Hinweise zum Datenschutz finden Sie hier: https://www.helmholtz-hzi.de/de/service/datenschutz/ <https://www.helmholtz-hzi.de/de/service/datenschutz/>