What is SFI's data sharing requirement?

SFI Research Data Management Policy; FAIR-aligned; data-management plans required for funded projects. Researchers should follow the data-management plan submitted with the application and deposit data in a recognised repository where appropriate.

SFI - funder mandate | CASRAI

Overview

Where SFI stands on contributorship and open research

SFI open-access policy encourages transparent reporting of author contributions. SFI does not mandate the CRediT taxonomy by name in its formal grant conditions, but its research-integrity framework aligns with transparent contributorship, and CRediT is widely used on SFI-funded publications via the journal layer.

CRediT status: Encouraged - Guidance or programme calls reference CRediT, but formal policy text is silent.

Open access

SFI Open Access Policy (aligned with Irish national policy and cOAlition S direction)

SFI requires that all peer-reviewed publications resulting from SFI-funded research be made openly accessible. Green OA via an institutional or subject repository within twelve months of publication is mandatory; Gold OA is encouraged where funding allows. SFI is aligned with the Irish National Open Research Forum (NORF) open-access direction.

Research data management

Data sharing requirements

SFI Research Data Management Policy; FAIR-aligned; data-management plans required for funded projects.

Submission and reporting

How SFI researchers apply and report

Primary submission system	SFI Online Grants Administration System (SESAME)
Biosketch / CV format	SFI researcher CV within SESAME; emphasises research outputs, impact, and team leadership
Reporting cycle	Annual progress reports and final reports via SESAME; outputs deposited in open repositories

SFI applicants submit proposals through the SESAME online grants system. All funded projects must include a Research Data Management Plan aligned with FAIR principles and make peer-reviewed publications openly accessible within twelve months of publication. SFI supports ORCID and requires ORCID iDs for principal investigators on applications. Adherence to the SFI Code of Practice for Research is a condition of all awards. SFI Research Centres — including LERO (software), Insight (data analytics), VistaMilk (agri-food), AMBER (advanced materials), and others — operate as collaborative multi-institutional hubs with their own open-science commitments.

Contributorship guidance

How SFI handles contributor attribution

SFI defers to journal practice on contributorship for publications. SFI's responsible-research principles and research-integrity code support transparent attribution of contributions; CRediT is widely used on SFI-funded publications because most journals receiving those outputs already require it.

For authors

Publishing from SFI funding

When publishing from SFI funding, make the peer-reviewed article openly accessible within twelve months of publication by depositing the accepted manuscript in your institutional repository or an appropriate subject repository. Where journal policy permits, pursue Gold OA using available APC funding. Acknowledge SFI using the standard wording that names Science Foundation Ireland and the grant number (for example, "This research was funded by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) under Grant Number [SFI/XX/XXXX]"). Include a CRediT statement at the publisher's request and ensure your ORCID iD is current and linked in SESAME. Update your FAIR-aligned data-management plan and deposit any data outputs in a recognised repository.

For general CRediT submission guidance across publishers, see CRediT for authors.

Notable initiatives

SFI programmes and infrastructure

SFI Research Centres (17 centres including LERO, Insight, VistaMilk, AMBER)
Frontiers for the Future grant programme
Future Innovator Prize
National Open Research Forum (NORF) alignment
International partnership programmes

Notes

Caveats and context

SFI operates in close alignment with Irish national research policy, IUA (Irish Universities Association) open-access guidelines, and the wider European open-science agenda through NORF; its policies are expected to tighten toward immediate open access in line with European norms.

Frequently asked

Common questions about SFI

Does SFI require CRediT?: SFI does not require CRediT at the policy-text level, but guidance and programme materials reference it. SFI open-access policy encourages transparent reporting of author contributions. SFI does not mandate the CRediT taxonomy by name in its formal grant conditions, but its research-integrity framework aligns with transparent contributorship, and CRediT is widely used on SFI-funded publications via the journal layer.
What is SFI's open access policy?: SFI Open Access Policy (aligned with Irish national policy and cOAlition S direction). SFI requires that all peer-reviewed publications resulting from SFI-funded research be made openly accessible. Green OA via an institutional or subject repository within twelve months of publication is mandatory; Gold OA is encouraged where funding allows. SFI is aligned with the Irish National Open Research Forum (NORF) open-access direction.
How do I report contributorship to SFI?: SFI defers to journal practice on contributorship for publications. SFI's responsible-research principles and research-integrity code support transparent attribution of contributions; CRediT is widely used on SFI-funded publications because most journals receiving those outputs already require it.
Where do I submit a SFI application?: SFI applications are submitted through SFI Online Grants Administration System (SESAME). SFI applicants submit proposals through the SESAME online grants system. All funded projects must include a Research Data Management Plan aligned with FAIR principles and make peer-reviewed publications openly accessible within twelve months of publication. SFI supports ORCID and requires ORCID iDs for principal investigators on applications. Adherence to the SFI Code of Practice for Research is a condition of all awards. SFI Research Centres — including LERO (software), Insight (data analytics), VistaMilk (agri-food), AMBER (advanced materials), and others — operate as collaborative multi-institutional hubs with their own open-science commitments.
What is SFI's data sharing requirement?: SFI Research Data Management Policy; FAIR-aligned; data-management plans required for funded projects. Researchers should follow the data-management plan submitted with the application and deposit data in a recognised repository where appropriate.

References