This UKRI-wide policy, which was released on 14 October, 2026, updates and harmonises the organisation’s expectations for responsibly managing and sharing research data so it is findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable (FAIR) and as open as possible, and as closed as necessary.
Experts from the UK Data Service helped to shape the policy for researchers and organisations, which will provide greater consistency and clarity to existing expectations without introducing significant new requirements. It will apply to new in-scope funding opportunities from 1 April 2027, allowing time to understand the policy and prepare for implementation.
For social science researchers funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) or wider UKRI schemes, this policy establishes clear mandates for how data must be managed, documented, and shared across the research lifecycle.
The policy applies to all research activities funded by UKRI’s constituent research councils, UKRI-wide funding schemes, and specific targeted calls across Innovate UK and Research England. This encompasses individual grants, fellowships, studentships, and major research centres or infrastructures.
In particular, social science data arising from ESRC-funded research will be deposited at the UK Data Service by the end of the grant period. UKRI-ESRC also strongly encourages social science data emerging from other UKRI councils to be deposited through the UK Data Service.
The policy aims to support:
- High-quality, transparent and impactful research.
- Effective and responsible management of research data.
- Greater consistency in expectations across UKRI.
- Appropriate sharing and reuse of research data and other digital research outputs.
You can read the policy here.
You can also learn about how we developed the policy and implementation activities on our engagement hub.
Research priorities
The new policy aligns with wider UKRI priorities, including:
- Promoting an open research culture.
- Recognising diverse skills and talent.
- Responsible and trusted research and innovation.
UKRI’s new policy builds on the research councils’ existing common principles and policies and supports the aims of the concordat on open research data.
It underpins practice in line with government and UKRI strategies for dealing with artificial intelligence (AI) generated data and the use of AI more widely.
Quality, integrity and public value
Professor Dame Jessica Corner, UKRI Executive Chair Champion for Open Research, explained on UKRI’s website:
“The revised policy will enhance the quality, integrity and public value of UKRI funded research, and support improvements in research culture and environment.
“It clarifies and simplifies our expectations and ensures consistency across all UKRI funding.
“As research becomes ever more data intensive, it is essential that research data arising from UKRI public funding is managed and shared appropriately.
“This will maximise its value and to enable more collaborative, efficient and trusted research and innovation.”
Learn more at the UKRI’s webinar
UKRI will be hosting a webinar on 25 November 2026 for researchers, research support professionals, and others from research organisations with an interest in research data management and sharing.
The webinar will provide an opportunity to:
- Hear directly from the policy team.
- Explore what the policy means in practice for researchers and research organisations.
- Hear perspectives from across the research sector.
- Ask questions about implementation.
Further guidance, supporting materials and engagement opportunities will be made available during the implementation period. You can also sign up to our open research mailing list for more information.