What is Research Data Management? 

RDM refers to a set of practices for actively organizing and securing research data throughout the lifecycle of a research project, from project planning through the collection, storage, processing, analyzing, sharing, preservation, and reuse of research data.

The Tri-Agencies encourage researchers to comply with the Tri-Agency Statement of Principles on Digital Data Management  by applying best data management and stewardship practices and procedures to their research data in conjunction with all relevant legal and ethical considerations and embargoes. The evolving research landscape emphasizes transparency, accountability, and replicability of research findings, while acknowledging that concerns over privacy, confidentiality, and data security are real. Mitigating these concerns impacts the cost of research projects.

Responsible data management and data stewardship are important to maximizing the potential for access, use, reuse, correlation, and corroboration of research data. It also enhances the reach, relevance, and impact of research results, and thus contributes to academic excellence.