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Research Data Management: UKRI

Research Data Management (RDM) Library guide

UKRI Common principles on research data

The UKRI Common principles on research data apply to all research funding opportunities, and should be read in conjunction with the policies and guidance produced by each research council. Additional guidance and details of eligible costs are available in the Guidance on best practice in the management of research data.

Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)

Data Management Plans (DMPs)

  • Required as part of funding proposals (except for Research Networking).
  • See pages 61-63 in the AHRC Research Funding Guide for Data Management Plan requirements. The DMP must be no more than two sides of A4.
  • DMP Online is loaded with the AHRC DMP template, and is the recommended tool for completing your DMP.

Data sharing

 

Data repository requirements

  • The AHRC do not specify which repository must be used for the long-term preservation of research data.
  • "An accessible and appropriate depository … the choice of depository should be appropriate to the nature of the project and accessible to the targeted audiences for the material produced" (AHRC Research Funding Guide, p.98).
  • See our guidance for choosing an appropriate repository.

How long should data be deposited for?

Costs of data management and sharing

  • "Costs relating to long term storage will be permitted providing these are fully justified and relate to the project. Full justification must be provided in Justification of Resources (JoR)”. (AHRC Research Funding Guide, p.56).

[Lasted checked 31/05/2022]

Medical Research Council (MRC)

Data Management Plans (DMPs)
  • Required as part of funding proposals (MRC Data Sharing Policy, 2.12).
  • DMP Online is loaded with the MRC DMP template, and is the recommended tool for completing your DMP.
Data sharing

Data repository requirements How long should data be deposited for?
  • For what the MRC describe as 'Basic research', primary/raw data and related material should be retained for a minimum of 10 years after the study has been completed.
  • "The retention period for primary/raw data and related material from population health or clinical studies will be informed by the relevant regulatory framework, the legal requirements outlined in guidance from the MHRA and any additional requirements identified by ethics committees or professional codes."
  • Primary/raw data and related material from clinical studies undertaken in MRC research units and institutes should be retained for 20 years.
  • MRC Good research practice: principles and guidelines (p.10).
Costs of data management and sharing

[Lasted checked 31/05/2022]

Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)

Data Management Plans (DMPs)
  • Required as part of funding proposals (NERC Data Policy, 11).
  • DMP Online is loaded with the NERC DMP template, and is the recommended tool for completing your DMP.
Data sharing

Data repository requirements How long should data be deposited for?
  • "The underpinning data and research materials should be preserved and accessible for a minimum of 10 years after completion of the research. However, for projects of major importance, this may need to be 20 years or longer." (NERC Data Policy - Guidance Notes, p.12).
Costs of data management and sharing
  • NERC funds its data centres for the long-term, post-project management of data generated through NERC-funded activities. NERC funded researchers only need to include in grant applications costs for project specific data management activities. Data centres may accept data from 3rd parties not funded by NERC, but there may be charges for ingestion and storage. (NERC Data Policy - Guidance Notes, p.11)

[Lasted checked 31/05/2022]

Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)

Data Management Plans (DMPs)
  • Required as part of funding proposals (ESRC Research Data Policy, Principle 2).
  • DMP Online is loaded with the ESRC DMP template, and is the recommended tool for completing your DMP.
Data sharing

  • Required as per UKRI Common Principles on Data Policy.
  • “Publicly-funded research data are a public good, produced in the public interest, which shall be made openly available and accessible with as few restrictions as possible in a timely and responsible manner.” (ESRC Research Data Policy, Principle 1).
Data repository requirements
  • "ESRC grants are expected to be deposited with a responsible repository within 3 months of the grant ending.” (ESRC Research Data Policy, Principle 1).
  • Data should be deposited either with the UK Data Service (the ESRC data service provider), or if deposited elsewhere, the UK Data Service should be informed of the published location (ESRC Research Data Policy, p.7).
  • See our guidance for choosing an appropriate repository.
How long should data be deposited for?
  • There is no mention in the ESRC research data policy, but the expectation outlined in the guidance for interpreting the UKRI common principles on research data specifies that data underpinning findings in publications should be accessible for at least 10 years after publication (Guidance on best practice in the management of research data, p.4).
Costs of data management and sharing
  • Grant applicants can include costs for data management and data preparation for sharing in their grant proposals. Costs for long-term preservation of data not required in proposals because the ESRC funds its data service providers (UK Data Service) (ESRC Research Data Policy, Principle 7, p.6).

[Lasted checked 31/05/2022]

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)

Data Management Plans (DMPs) Data sharing

Data repository requirements How long should data be deposited for?
  • "Ensure that EPSRC-funded research data is securely preserved for at least 10 years from the date that any researcher ‘privileged access’ period expires or, if others have accessed the data, from the last date on which access to the data was requested." (EPSRC research data expectations)
Costs of data management and sharing

[Lasted checked 31/05/2022]