Arctic Challenge for Sustainability Project (ArCS) Data Policy
Arctic Challenge for Sustainability Project
Steering Committee
December 24, 2015
This Policy provides basic policies on the handling and scientific and educational use of the various kinds of data obtained as the results of the Arctic Challenge for Sustainability Project (ArCS) (hereinafter referred to as “the Project”) carried out by the National Institute of Polar Research, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology and Hokkaido University.
1. Purposes
The Project aims to elucidate changes in the climate and environment, clarify their effects on human society, and provide accurate projections and environmental assessments for internal and external stakeholders so that they can make appropriate decisions on the sustainable development of the Arctic region.
The Project is expected to obtain data in the Arctic region that are of extremely high academic value. These data are the common property of the human community, and it is important for them to be made open for research, educational and industrial purposes, and to be available for use into the future on a global basis. It is one of the Project’s most important aims to store these valuable data for a long period of time and provide them in an easily accessible manner.
2. Definition of Data
The data mentioned herein refer to those obtained by the Project (hereinafter referred to as “the Data”).
In specific terms, the Data refer to the research and observation data, simulation data, graphic images (including moving images, still images and photographs), and figures and any other kind of information obtained through research and study as well as any records thereof, as well as metadata of the respective Data. The Data also refer to metadata of the specimens (samples) obtained from the research and study including living organisms, soil and seawater, as well as analysis data for the specimens (samples) and metadata of the analysis data.
3. Rights to Data
The Data obtained by the Project belong to the respective institutes who have obtained the Data, except for instances where specific agreements are made. The Project has the right to use the Data thus obtained.
4. Handling of Data as Intellectual Property
Some of the Data are Data that must be protected as intellectual property, which will be identified by the respective institutes whenever applicable.
Intellectual property has socio-economic as well as scientific value that should be transferred to society in an appropriate manner. Appropriate use and management of the Data identified as intellectual property will be promoted in accordance with the related policies or rules of the respective institutes that have obtained the Data.
5. Publication of Data
The scientists participating in the Project will attempt to publicize the Data promptly so as to maximize the value of the obtained data. However, the scientists who have obtained the Data will be entitled to a publication moratorium period for processing (calibration, quality control, etc.) of the Data necessary for publication.
6. Management, Storage and Use of Data
The Data not identified as intellectual property will be properly managed by and stored in the Arctic Data archive System (ADS) for scientific, educational and industrial purposes, and will also be provided smoothly for use by research organizations, researchers and stakeholders in Japan and abroad.
The Project will prepare proper rules to implement the basic policies mentioned above, and requests that all the scientists participating in the Project conduct their activities in a manner that adheres to this Policy.
