EPSRC recognises that systems and infrastructure appropriate to the storage and management of access to research data have associated costs. We believe that, where research has been publicly funded, it is reasonable and appropriate to use public funds for any associated data management costs. We therefore expect research organisations to make appropriate provision for this from within public research funding received, making use of both direct and indirect funding streams as appropriate.
A variety of approaches are acceptable within the framework. For example, in the interests of efficiency:
- a research organisation could appoint a third party to provide appropriate services
- two or more research organisations could collaborate and develop a shared service.