The Principal Investigator is the custodian of research data unless otherwise agreed upon in writing, and is responsible for the collection, management and retention of research data. Research data must be retained in sufficient detail and for an adequate period of time to enable appropriate responses to questions about accuracy, authenticity, primacy and compliance with laws and regulations governing the conduct of the research. Questions regarding the management of research data should be addressed to the Associate Vice President for Research.
National Science Foundation (NSF)
The National Science Foundation requires that a research project’s data management plan must demonstrate how data, samples and other research products will be archived and made accessible. UTech can identify the requirements that must be satisfied for storing, archiving and sharing data.
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Sharing data, particularly unique data (data that cannot be replicated), is essential for expedited translation of research results into knowledge, products, and procedures to improve human health.
The NIH endorses the sharing of final research data to serve these and other important scientific goals.
The NIH expects and supports the timely release (no later than the acceptance for publication of the main findings from the final dataset ) and sharing of final research data* from NIH-supported studies for use by other researchers.
*"Final research data is defined as recorded factual material commonly accepted in the scientific community as necessary to validate research findings. It does not include preliminary analyses; drafts of scientific papers; plans for future research; peer reviews; communications with colleagues; physical objects (e.g., laboratory samples, audio or video tapes); trade secrets; commercial information; materials necessary to be held confidential by a researcher until publication in a peer-reviewed journal; information that is protected under the law (e.g., intellectual property); personnel and medical files and similar files, the disclosure of which would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy; or information that could be used to identify a particular person in a research study. — Data Sharing Regulations/Policy/Guidance Chart for NIH Awards (08/30/2006)
Other Federal Funding Agencies
The University of California - California Digital Library has posted a helpful table summarizing the data management and sharing requirements of primary US federal funding agencies. Go to the CDL table to see links to the requirements for the DOE, EPA, NASA, NEH, and others.