Back Up for Science

1 Why Back Up for Science

If you have ever wondered where you should keep a copy of your last study’s data other than your local hard drive, you are not alone. Data management in an academic context can be complicated and require understanding how data use agreements (DUAs), institutional security requirements, and funder requests all intersect.

This website was created to make it easier for scientists seeking to preserve their original research data to decide how to do so.

Note that some researchers have access to dedicated data librarians through their universities. Data librarians can offer advice on finding secure, reliable solutions for storing and sharing research data.

For anyone interested in exploring independent (non-profit) repositories as a potential solution for data preservation, keep reading below. This page provides a list of available repositories, in addition to guidance on how to decide between the options.

2 Independent data repositories

Data repositories are digital storage systems used to store, organize, and share research data. They make data more accessible and discoverable for others.

Repositories can also help researchers comply with journal or funder data-sharing policies.

Institutional repositories are typically owned and operated by universities. Some repositories, especially those designed for a single domain or scientific discipline, are owned and managed by federal agencies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH). An example would be the NIMH Data Archive (NDA).

Other repositories are owned by independent organizations, which can include nonprofit organizations and for-profit companies. They may be funded by a combination of federal funds, state government funds, philanthropic gifts, member dues, or customer fees. Their governance structures can vary - from nonprofit boards to large media holding companies.

3 Resources for the everyday researcher

3.1 How to select a data repository

Starting in 2022, the NIH developed GREI: the Generalist Repository Ecosystem Initiative.

Their mission was twofold:

Promote the adoption and implementation of FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) to better share and reuse NIH-funded data
Establish a common set of cohesive and consistent capabilities, services, metrics, and social infrastructure across multiple generalist repositories

Seven repositories were selected and awarded funds by the NIH under GREI. Those repositories are:

These repositories are not limited to specific domains or disciplines and are generally able to accept data of any type.

As a result of GREI, the NIH has created the following guides intended to help researchers select the repository best suited to their data.

For a side-by-side comparison of all seven repositories and a description of their features, download this guide
For a flow chart that takes you step-by-step through the considerations in selecting a data repository, download this guide
Before entrusting a repository with valuable scientific data, you may also want to consider the following non-technical features: ownership, funding sources, governance model, data policies, and overall transparency.

3.2 How to prepare your data for submission

Once you have selected a data repository, you will need to prepare your dataset to maximize its FAIR-ness while staying in compliance with all legal, funder, and security/privacy requirements.

For a checklist that outlines all the steps you should take before depositing data, download this guide

3.3 Special considerations for human participant research data

Any research on information or physical samples taken from human beings is subject to special rules, which may include IRB or other regulatory approval, consent forms, or privacy laws.

For detailed descriptions of how to treat and manage data from human participant research before sharing via a repository, please refer to the following data curation primer: Human Participants Data Essentials

Additional data curation primers across other topics are available here: Data Curation Network: Data Curation Primers

4 Have questions? Want one-on-one help from a specialist?

Back Up For Science has partnered with two organizations to provide FREE expert data management consultations to qualified researchers from established academic research institutions. Consultants from both organizations (Vivli and ICPSR) are qualified to answer questions such as: how to select the best repository for your data, how to comply with regulatory and legal requirements, and how to prepare your data for storage and/or distribution.

Eligible PIs can schedule a personalized call with a data curator from one of the following entities. Both entities offer consultations as well as data repository services.

Vivli is an independent, non-profit organization that has developed a global data-sharing and analytics platform for clinical trial data. They specialize in handling individual participant-level health data to serve the international research community. Vivli offers data anonymization services to protect and prepare human participant data. To submit a request to Vivli, visit their website here.

ICPSR (the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research) is the world's largest archive of social science data. ICPSR is a collaboration of nearly 800 institutions that provides data resources and training in data access, curation, and analysis for research. To submit a request to ICPSR, use the form below:
Name Email (for ICPSR to contact you) Subject Description of your request

5 Your voice matters

This project was made possible by an anonymous philanthropic gift.

We welcome suggestions from the scientific community. Please complete the form below to send us your questions or ideas. Thank you.