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BBSRC data sharing policy

April 2007

BBSRC has launched its new data sharing policy, setting out expected standards of data sharing for BBSRC-supported researchers. The policy states that BBSRC expects research data generated as a result of BBSRC support to be made available with as few restrictions as possible in a timely and responsible manner to the scientific community for examination and use.

In turn, BBSRC will provide support and funding to facilitate appropriate data sharing activities, and recognises that different fields of study will require different approaches. What is sensible in one scientific or technological area may not work in others. The policy aims to achieve the sharing of data in a both a timely and scientifically appropriate manner.  

In implementing the policy, all research proposals submitted to BBSRC from 26th April 2007 must now include a statement on data sharing. This should include concise plans for data management and sharing or provide explicit reasons why data sharing is not possible or appropriate. The statement on data sharing will be under a separate section within the ‘case for support’ document, and the guidance for applicants has been updated accordingly. Statements will be considered separately from the scientific excellence of the proposed research; however, an application’s credibility will suffer if peer review agrees the statement is inappropriate.  

The full data sharing policy statement, background and context to the policy, comprehensive guidance for applicants and an FAQ section are available to view on the BBSRC Data Sharing Policy pages.

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