rights in data, publication and copyrighting
8.2.1 Rights in Data (Publication and Copyrighting)
In general, recipients own the rights in data resulting from a grant-supported project. Specific terms and conditions of the award may indicate alternative rights, e.g., under a cooperative agreement or based on specific programmatic considerations as stated in the applicable RFA. Except as otherwise provided in the terms and conditions of the award, any publications, data, or other copyrightable works developed under an NIH grant may be copyrighted without NIH approval. For this purpose, "data" means recorded information, regardless of the form or media on which it may be recorded, and includes writings, films, sound recordings, pictorial reproductions, drawings, designs, or other graphic representations, procedural manuals, forms, diagrams, work flow charts, equipment descriptions, data files, data processing or computer programs (software), statistical records, and other technical research data.
Rights in data also extend to students, fellows, or trainees under awards whose primary purpose is educational, with the authors free to copyright works without NIH approval. In all cases, NIH must be given a royalty-free, nonexclusive, and irrevocable license for the Federal government to reproduce, publish, or otherwise use the material and to authorize others to do so for Federal purposes. Data developed by a consortium participant also is subject to this policy.
As a means of sharing knowledge, NIH encourages recipients to arrange for publication of NIH-supported original research in primary scientific journals. Recipients also should assert copyright in scientific and technical articles based on data produced under the grant where necessary to effect journal publication or inclusion in proceedings associated with professional activities.
Journal or other copyright practices are acceptable unless the copyright policy prevents the recipient from making copies for its own use (as provided in 2 CFR Part 200.315 and 45 CFR Part 75.322). The disposition of royalties and other income earned from a copyrighted work is addressed in Administrative Requirements-Management Systems and Procedures-Program Income.
All recipients must acknowledge Federal funding when issuing statements, press releases, requests for proposals, bid invitations, and other documents describing projects or programs funded in whole or in part with Federal money. Each publication, press release, or other document about research supported by an NIH grant must include:
- An acknowledgment of NIH grant support such as:
"Research reported in this [publication, release] was supported by [name of the Institute, Center, or other funding component] of the National Institutes of Health under grant number [specific NIH grant number in this format: R01GM012345]."
- A disclaimer that says:
"The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health."
If the recipient plans to issue a press release about research supported by an NIH grant, it should notify the NIH funding component in advance to allow for coordination. See http://www.nih.gov/news/media_contacts.htm for media contact information.
Publications resulting from work performed under an NIH grant-supported project must be included as part of the annual or final progress report submitted to the NIH awarding IC The NIH organizational component responsible for a particular grant program or set of activities. The terms "NIH IC," or "awarding IC" are used throughout this document to designate a point of contact for advice and interpretation of grant requirements and to establish the focal point for requesting necessary prior approvals or changes in the terms and conditions of award. (see Administrative Requirements-Monitoring-Reporting-Non-Competing Continuation Progress Reports and Administrative Requirements-Closeout-Final Reports-Final Progress Report). When publications are available electronically, the URL or the PMCID number must be provided. If not available electronically, one copy of the publication may be provided along with the progress report. See also NIH Public Access Policy below for additional requirements for publications resulting from NIH funded research.