Research Data Management

Research data mangement works within a number of different frameworks of policies, principles and guidelines:

• In Canada, the Tri-Agency Research Data Management Policy covers research funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC). However, other agencies such as the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) may also have data management requirements, such as requiring data management plans with funding applications. Make sure you check the requirements for a funding application for any RDM-related elements before you submit.

• U.S. and international funders may have their own data management policies and requirements. If a project has both Tri-Agency and other international funding, you may need to consider data management requirements from multiple funders. Other countries may have stricter requirements than Canadian agencies, and adhering to those will likely ensure compliance with Canadian funder requirements.

• The FAIR Guiding Principles for Scientific Data Management and Stewardship are internationally developed guidelines to facilitate data sharing by improving the Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability and Reusability of research data.

• Indigenous data must be managed in the context of Indigenous data sovereignty. 

See the menu on the left for information on specific research data management policies, principles and frameworks.