The following general principles govern ownership of research data obtained from any research activity using Vanderbilt University Medical Center facilities or with support from funds administered by the Medical Center. This policy applies to employees of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, but does not apply to work done by other organizations in space leased by Vanderbilt University.
Tangible data is a general term which includes devices, cell lines, vaccines, plasmids, etc.
Consistent with the University policy on Technology and Literary and Artistic Works, Vanderbilt University Medical Center Asserts its rights to ownership of original primary research data developed by its faculty, fellows, students, and employees, regardless of the technology used to create, preserve, or record it. The principal investigator of a project or subproject is, for practical purposes, the steward of the research data. A decision to destroy research data prior to seven years must be reviewed and approved by the Deans or their designees on advice of the Chair of the principal investigator. A permanent record must be kept in a central place reflecting the inventory of destroyed data. When principal investigators for a project retire or depart the University, upon written request, they shall be permitted normally to take their research data and related documentary material.