Developing UKRI's research data policy

Overview

UKRI is developing a new research data policy, which will update and streamline our expectations for sharing and managing research data and other research-relevant digital objects, including algorithms, software code and workflows, arising from UKRI-funded research.  

This integrated policy will apply to research funded by the research councils, Research England, Innovate UK and cross-UKRI schemes. It aims to provide clearer and more consistent expectations and support best practice for different research domains and data types.  

Between April and July 2025, we are welcoming stakeholder feedback on a draft version of the UKRI research data policy. This draft includes proposed common principles and requirements for research data and metadata.  

As detailed in the draft policy, UKRI is taking a modular approach to developing this policy. Over 2025, in consultation with stakeholders, we will also be reviewing and developing:  

• supplementary data- and domain-specific requirements and guidance, which will build on some of the expectations in our councils’ current policies 

• our expectations for sharing other research-relevant digital objects, including algorithms, software code and workflows 

• our expectations and guidance for data management plans, support for data sharing costs, and monitoring and compliance.  

You can also find out more about the policy and how we are developing it by joining our UKRI research data policy information webinar on 7 May 2025.  

Our December 2024 announcement provides further context about why UKRI is updating and harmonising its data sharing policy.  

UKRI's draft research data policy 

Download a copy of the draft policy.

You can also download the draft policy by using the link provided under the 'related' section at the bottom of this page.

If you require this document in a different format, then please contact researchdatapolicy@ukri.org. 

How to provide feedback 

Over April-July 2025, we will be inviting a diversity of experts, organisations and representative bodies, from across our council and cross-sector stakeholder communities, to a series of roundtables and workshops. These engagements will be our core consultation mechanism for this policy.

However, other stakeholders can still share their views with UKRI, using the online feedback form linked to at the bottom of this page.

For information, we have also created a pdf version of the form. However, please note that all responses must be submitted through the online form. 

The closing date for feedback via this form is 11:59 PM on Wednesday 9 July 2025.

How we will use your feedback 

UKRI will give all feedback, received both in writing and via engagements, due consideration in informing our final policy and supplementary guidance.  

A fair and balanced summary of feedback will be used to inform any decision made. In most cases, the strength of the arguments made is likely to be given more weight than the number of times the same point is made. 

UKRI will publish the final policy and guidance, alongside and explanation of any key changes and how these were informed by feedback, at the start of 2026. It will replace current UKRI and research council data sharing policies later in 2026, following an implementation period.  

What will happen next? 

We will collect the survey data and use it to inform the development of UKRI's research data policy.

If you have a question about the development of UKRI’s research data policy or how to provide feedback, please contact researchdatapolicy@ukri.org.   

Further information

Media enquiries should be directed to UKRI’s press and media team.  

Information about UKRI’s and research councils’ existing research data policies can be found on UKRI’s website at making your research data open. Applicants for UKRI funding and UKRI award holders must continue to follow these policies until informed otherwise.