UF implemented Policy 12-031: Acceptable Data Use on March 24, 2026, establishing updated requirements for the handling of data sharing agreements in research activities. Under the policy, all research-related data use agreements (including data transfer and data use agreements) must be submitted through UFIRST for institutional signature, and individual units, departments, and colleges are not authorized to execute these agreements independently. Researchers must also accurately complete the UFIRST Agreement Compliance Form, indicating whether agreements involve UF access to external data or third-party access to UF-owned or stewarded data.
Principal Investigators are responsible for ensuring full compliance with all terms and conditions outlined in data sharing agreements, including requirements related to data use limitations, storage, transfer, destruction, renewal, and publication. Questions regarding research-related data sharing agreements should be directed to dspcontracts@research.ufl.edu, while non-research data use inquiries should follow guidance outlined in Policy 12-031 or the UF Data Access Request webpage.