Research funder policies

Research funder policies

Many research funders in the UK have policies on the management and sharing of research data. While policies vary, they generally include the following requirements:

• Write a data management plan (DMP), usually on application.
• Look after your data appropriately during the research.
• Preserve and share your data as widely as permitted - funders generally expect data to be retained for a minimum of 10 years after a project, but you should check for specific funding conditions.
• Include a data availability statement in publications (required for UKRI funders).

You can access DMP templates for many individual funders, along with guidance and feedback options, by logging into the Sheffield version of DMPonline. However, you should check the DMP requirements for your specific funding. Further guidance and examples are available from the Digital Curation Centre (DCC).

The UKRI funders share common principles on making your research data open, but individual funders and funding calls have their own data management guidelines and requirements. You can find links to useful information for UKRI and other funders below.

UKRI funders (dropdown)

AHRC

AHRC research funding guide (including data management plan guidance)

BBSRC

BBSRC data sharing policy

EPSRC

EPSRC research data expectations

ESRC

ESRC research data policy

UK Data Service guidance

MRC

MRC application and policy guide (including data management plan guidance) 

MRC data management plan template

MRC data sharing policy

MRC retention framework for research data and records

NERC

NERC data policy

NERC data management planning

STFC

STFC data management plan

Other funders (dropdown)

BCN

BCN funding opportunities (see ‘How to apply for a research grant’ on appropriate funding page)

CRUK

Data sharing and management policy

EC (Horizon Europe)

Open science in Horizon Europe (including guidance on complying with the mandatory open science practices)

 

NIHR

NIHR position on the sharing of research data

Parkinson’s UK

Parkinson’s UK data management and sharing

 

Royal Society

Royal Society research grants  (see Conditions of Award)

Wellcome Trust

Wellcome data management and sharing policy

Wellcome outputs management plan

Policy summary (DCC)

For further information, please contact rdm@sheffield.ac.uk