(2006-06-15) A little over two months ago, CIHR launched an important initiative to promote the dissemination of research products developed using CIHR funds (i.e., research materials, data and published results). By ensuring the widest possible access to research products and knowledge, we aim to maximize the impact of publicly funded research.

CIHR believes that timely access to research products will stimulate the development of new health products, policies and practices that will benefit the health of Canadians as well as the global population. We also desire to harmonize our research policies with those of other national and international research organizations. Take for example the sharing (e.g., research resources and data) and public access policies in place at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Several CIHR-funded researchers receive NIH funding directly or through collaborative CIHR-NIH research programs, and are therefore subject to NIH funding policies. The good practices that NIH requires should also apply to CIHR-funded research. We see the development of CIHR policy as emphasizing and encouraging the "culture of sharing" within the Canadian research community, that Dr. Arthur Carty, National Science Advisor, referred to in his November 2005 article "A global information system needs a culture of sharing"
(http://www.universityaffairs.ca/issues/2005/november/opinion_02.html)

Feedback from the research community and other stakeholders is essential if we are to develop and implement an effective policy. I would like to thank everyone who submitted comments through our online survey. I was pleased with the number of responses and the range of groups that provided feedback. We heard from not only from those directly involved, including researchers, administrators, libraries and journal editors, but also from stakeholders such as health charities, industry and other government agencies. There was overwhelming support for greater accessibility to the broad categories of research products that we identified. In addition, we received many valuable comments and suggestions from individuals who were willing to share their vast knowledge in this area. Below are some of the key themes that emerged from the survey.

• Increased accessibility is the goal and this can be achieved while protecting intellectual property;
• Make efforts to limit restrictions on sharing products of research;
• Strong support for sharing research data, particularly data that has been accepted by peer-reviewed publications; and
• Self-archiving of publications was encouraged.

CIHR will be posting a summary of the survey results in the next few weeks. In the meantime, the Access Policy Advisory Committee¹ will review the results of this consultation in greater detail and provide recommendations for CIHR as we move forward.

Over the coming months, CIHR will be working on the development of a draft policy. We anticipate having a draft completed by the summer, at which time it will be posted on our web site for consultation. If you have any questions, please contact Geoff Hynes, Research Officer to the President at ghynes@cihr-irsc.gc.ca or (613) 952-8965.

CIHR looks forward to your continued participation in this important policy initiative.

Mark A. Bisby, M.A., D.Phil.
Vice-President, Research Portfolio

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¹ Access Policy Advisory Committee
Dr. James E. Till (Chair), Ontario Cancer Institute
Dr. Michel G. Bergeron, Université Laval
Dr. Ian Graham, Ottawa Health Research Institute
Dr. Geoffrey Hicks, University of Manitoba
Francis Ouellette, University of British Columbia
Dr. Michael Rudnicki, Ottawa Health Research Institute
Dr. Charlyn Black, University of British Columbia
Dr. Jeanette Ward, University of Ottawa
Dr. Barbara Neis, Memorial University of Newfoundland
Dr. Louise Potvin, Université de Montréal