Developing Institutional Research Data Management Strategies in Canada: Setting the Foundation for Stronger Partnerships and Collaborations

Abstract

The Government of Canada’s Tri-Agency formally launched the Research Data Management (RDM) Policy in March 2021 with the objective of supporting “Canadian research excellence by promoting sound data management and data stewardship practices”. A central component of this policy requires postsecondary institutions eligible to administer Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), or the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC ) funds to create an institutional RDM strategy by March 2023.

A national survey was developed to gauge institutions’ readiness for developing an institutional RDM strategy required by the Tri-Agency. The survey emphasized increasing participation from diverse institutions to ensure that future support and resources are developed to address the distinct needs of institutions.

Recommendations from the survey report included increasing Tri-Agency involvement as institutions developed their institutional RDM strategies, encouraging institutions to collaborate, and the development of forums to provide support for disciplinary societies to have RDM conversations.

As a result, three panel discussions covering the active stages (Initial, Planning, and Execution) of developing an institutional RDM strategy were successfully delivered through the Digital Research Alliance RDM (Alliance RDM) to a diverse range of institutions. Recognizing the needs of smaller institutions including CEGEPS, colleges, and polytechnics, an additional panel discussion was developed and delivered to this audience.