1. Update on the Implementation of BBSRC Data Sharing Policy David McAllister Research, Innovation & Skills BBSRC Sharing Research Data: Pioneers, Policies and Protocols 13 March 2009

2. Background to Data Sharing Policy Introduced in April 2007 Complements existing safeguards in scientific best practice –Need for curation of research data (10 years) Recognises BBSRCs leadership role in responding to changing biosciences

3. Biosciences are Changing BBSRC sponsors wide range of research which generates large data sets –Increasingly high throughput –Multi/inter-disciplinary Data can be important for wider community, leads to new biological understanding –Data mining is increasingly important

4. A recent example… Identification of a chemical probe for NAADP by virtual screening Naylor et al Nature Chemical Biology (22 Feb 2009), doi: 10.1038/nchembio.150

5. Policy Context BBSRC is one of a number of life science funders BBSRC does not own data outputs –These lie with institutions BBSRC has a fundamental interest in value for money in investments –Maximum impact (with excellent science) –Essential for continued success in leveraging funds for biosciences from Science Budget

6. BBSRCs Position Data sharing should be: –Science-driven –Community-led –Cost-effective Data sharing is separate from long-term archiving Data sharing should be practiced across the entirety of BBSRC science –Not just traditionally high-data areas IP and data sharing need to be tensioned –Enabling the former should not disrupt the latter

7. Policy Statement BBSRC: Expects data generated to be made available with as few restrictions as possible, in a timely manner –Not later than publication of main findings –Be in line with current best practice –Not be unduly delayed by IP/commercialisation Recognises that different research areas will require different approaches Recognises importance of data quality and providence –Appropriate metadata and standards http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/publications/policy/data_sharing_policy.html

8. Data Sharing Mechanisms Where established community resources exist, use them Where they dont… –Seek to create one –Share data via local arrangements Local website hosting Access on request BBSRC will provide funds (through grants) to allow data sharing

9. Data Sharing Statements Data areas and types –Volume, type and content Standards and metadata –Relationship to other available data Secondary use –Further intended/forseeable users for dataset(s) Methods for data sharing –Access mechanisms Proprietary data –Any restrictions Timeframe for public release Format of final datasets

10. Data Sharing and Peer Review All applicants are expected to comment upon data sharing intentions –Can request additional (justified) resources to support data sharing plan Data Sharing Statements are peer reviewed –Are the applicants intentions appropriate? Applicants will report against stated data sharing intentions after completion of grant

11. Assessment of Data Statements Proportionate –Assessed separately from scientific excellence Should contribute to the assessment of the overall credibility of an application Peer review, rather than BBSRC review

12. Monitoring i Final reporting on awarded grants BBSRC-sponsored Institutes will have data sharing statements attached to their strategic programme grants (ISPG) Data Sharing Monitoring Group

13. Monitoring ii Community has, in general, responded well Disparity in quality of responses, dependent on –Research area –Existing data sharing experience Few financial requests to support data- sharing activities

14. Future Challenges How can success/impact of policy be measured? How will it affect research behaviour? –Culture change –Improved crafting of grants How is best practice interpreted by reviewers across disciplines? Is data sharing suitably supported financially?

15. Conclusions Still fairly early in the life-cycle of the policy to make concrete conclusions; but… Community acceptance appears to be high Increasing awareness of the benefits of sharing data (and associated metadata) Will become more important as large data continues to increase in importance

16. Any Questions…? david.mcallister@bbsrc.ac.uk http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/publications/policy/data_sharing_policy.html Chief Executives blog: http://blogs.bbsrc.ac.uk/