Canada’s national Tri-Agency Research Data Management (RDM) Policy is designed to guide the management, sharing, and access to research data arising from publicly funded research, with the aim of fostering research excellence through sound data stewardship practices. While not an open data policy, it promotes a culture of transparency, responsibility, and confidence in data management by outlining clear responsibilities for researchers, institutions, and support staff. The policy encourages the development of data management plans (DMPs), institutional strategies, and practices that safeguard privacy, intellectual property, and ethical standards, thereby helping to mitigate undue risk averseness. Institutions are expected to support researchers through training, infrastructure, and resources for data storage, access, and sharing, while also monitoring compliance with national guidelines and legal frameworks. By providing guidance, support, and best practices for responsible data stewardship, the policy strengthens institutional capacity and contributes to a balanced approach that supports both openness and the protection of sensitive information.
Tri-Agency Research Data Management Policy
Abstract
Country | Canada |
Start date | 2021 |
Annual Budget | n/a |
Responsible organisation(s) | Funding institution |
Target group(s) | Established researchers|National government|Junior researchers|Public research institutes |
Policy instrument type | Standards and certification for technology development and adoption |
The policy builds upon previous initiatives, such as the Tri-Agency Statement of Principles on Digital Data Management (2016), and aligns with ethical frameworks like the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans.
A draft version of the policy was released for public consultation online between June–September 2018, receiving 130 submissions from a diverse range of stakeholders, including researchers, institutions, and Indigenous partners. Parallel discussions were held with Indigenous communities to address specific considerations related to data management and sovereignty, ensuring that the policy respects Indigenous data governance principles during the period 2018-2019.
The Tri-Agency Research Data Management Policy was officially launched in March 2021.
To support the effective and responsible conduct of research.|To increase the ability to store, find and reuse research data
To enable a strong culture of RDM that will serve Canadian research excellence, support discovery and fuel innovation
To benefit Canadian researchers who are working in international partnerships and collaborations, as other funders around the globe are implementing and strengthening their data management requirements
To foster a robust environment for data management in Canada and internationally, and ensure Canadian researchers are well positioned to contribute to, and capitalize on, data-intensive science and scholarship
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