Open Data Strategies

Research funders around the world are recognising the value of open data. Many have developed policies that require the researchers they fund to manage and share research data and related research outputs (such as research software and materials) in ways that maximise the societal benefit that flows from the research, including making these data widely available to other researchers in a timely and responsible manner.

The Global Biodata Coalition (GBC) Working Group on Open Data Strategies brings together representatives from GBC Member and Observer organisations to consider ways that funders could cooperate to enhance implementation of their policies to support open research data. A core focus is to consider the implications of these policies for biodata resources, whose long-term funding and sustainability are crucial to the long-term preservation, discovery and reusability of research data and who as a result play a pivotal role in the delivery of these policies.

Consultation now open!

The Consultation Paper developed by the Open Data Strategies Working Group is now open for community feedback. We welcome inputs and ideas from all those with an interest in funding and sustainability of data infrastructure, both organizations and individuals. Please note the important disclaimer below.

The consultation is open until 23:59 GMT on Monday 4 December 2023.

The Consultation Paper is available to read and download via the GBC Zenodo channel: Read the Consultation Paper.

Please feedback your views using the Google Form here. Feedback your views.

If you are unable to use Google Forms, please email us at and we will send the form to you in another format.

Objectives

The GBC Working Group on Open Data Strategies has two overarching objectives
● To explore ways that funders of biological, biomedical and life science research could better share knowledge and collaborate in developing, implementing and evaluating open data policies and mandates; and in doing so,

● To maximise the value of biodata globally, and support and strengthen biodata resources.

Deliverables

The Working Group has developed a consultation paper proposing a series of options for cross-funder cooperation to enhance the implementation of funder open data policies. A key focus was on how funders could best support and work with biodata resources, who play a critical role in ensuring the successful implementation of these policies. We are inviting comments and inputs on this paper from our partners and communities — including funding bodies, biodata resource managers and the wider research community. Please see the box above for details of how to respond.

Based on the feedback received, the GBC plans to develop a White Paper for publication in 2024 which details how GBC will work with its partner funders and other groups active in the open data landscape to help coordinate implementation of open data mandates.

Working Group Members

Name
Affiliation

Warwick Anderson (Chair)

Chair of GBC Board of Funders

Michael Ball

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) — MRC

Ishwar Chandramousliwaran

US National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Christine Choirat

Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF)

Michael Dunn

Wellcome

Davina Ghersi

National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), Australia

Chris McMaster

Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

Kostas Repanas

European Commission

Jennifer Weller

US National Science Foundation (NSF)

GBC Secretariat: Guy Cochrane, Chuck Cook, Rachel Drysdale, David Carr

Disclaimer

The consultation papers were prepared by the GBC Secretariat based on the discussions and inputs of Working Groups composed of experts drawn from GBC member and observer organisations. The papers do not present recommendations or policy proposals: rather, they present a series of ideas for discussion and feedback by GBC’s stakeholders and communities. These ideas reflect the key themes that emerged from the Working Group’s discussions, but will not necessarily always fully reflect the views of individual Working Group members. None of the ideas, viewpoints or any other content in this paper should be taken to represent the policy or positions of the organisations to which Working Group members are affiliated.