Imagine research where every dataset is easy to find, simple to access, and ready to be reused across disciplines. In our Priority Program for Engineered Living Materials, scientists are working toward exactly that – developing shared standards and structures that make research data truly FAIR. By aligning data practices across life sciences and materials science, and collaborating closely within the NFDI MatWerk and the broader National Research Data Infrastructure, this community is building the foundation for seamless knowledge exchange. Effective research data management is the key to accelerating discovery.