The Funder Data Platform provides:

• a platform and legal framework for funders to share their internal data for analysis on specific problems, topics and research questions
• protocols for standardising (and where needed anonymising) internal funder data into a common format, enabling cross-funder analysis
• linking this internal ‘closed data’ to open data on research outputs and outcomes

Bridging the Data Gap in Research on Research

For research that has been funded and published, there is ample available information enabling analysis of publications, citations, collaborations, funding landscapes and so on. However, pre-award data – unsuccessful applications, reviews and review processes, applicant ‘journeys’ – are the bottom of the ocean of research data. Very little work exists to analyse such data across funders, largely because of data privacy issues. This has long been a challenge, limiting insights into funding processes and strategic investments. The Funder Data Platform (FDP) addresses this by providing a secure environment for sharing and analyzing data, enabling collaboration on critical issues such as funding design, assessment criteria, selection processes, and outcomes.

What Is the Funder Data Platform?

The FDP is a secure platform for data sharing and analysis among RoRI’s consortium members and partners. Access is also possible for other researchers and analysts interested in conducting studies within metascience. Key features include:

• Data Upload & Access: Partners securely upload and store data for collaborative projects.
• Secure Workspace: Teams analyze data in a closed environment. Each project has its own workspace where user access is tailored to project specifications. 
• Open Outputs: Approved findings are shared in open formats.

Initially developed by Wellcome Trust, the FDP is now managed by the Danish Centre for Studies in Research and Research Policy (CFA) at Aarhus University, supported by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. Development continues through RoRI’s second phase, until the end of 2027.

FDP Objectives

The FDP fosters collaboration and knowledge exchange among research funders by:

• Providing a Secure Environment: Create a safe space for storing and analyzing confidential data.
• Facilitating Collaboration: Bring together researchers and funders to address critical metascience questions.
• Enhancing Access: Streamline access to funder data for collaborative projects.
• Simplifying Processes: Reduce barriers to initiating and managing joint analyses.

Current Projects

Three ongoing projects leverage the FDP:

1. Criteria: Examines gender effects across funders.
2. Matthew: Studies the accumulation effects of early grants.
3. Portfolios: Maps the impact of targeted funding.

These projects link funding processes to research outcomes from different perspectives. Criteria began in the FDP’s first phase, while Matthew and Portfolios were initiated in the second phase and are expected to complete by mid-2025.

How the FDP Works

The FDP supports several models for collaboration:

1. Centralized Analysis: Funder data is transferred to the FDP, where all data preparation, merging, and analysis occur.
2. Hybrid Model: Data preparation is supported locally by the funder before anonymized datasets are transferred to the FDP for joint analysis.
3. Data-Owner Access: Only data owners access their datasets, with joint analyses conducted on anonymized, aggregated data.
4. Alternative Data Types: Projects utilizing non-quantitative data, such as interviews or documents, can also be conducted.

These models enable diverse research topics, including funding practices, selection criteria, evaluation processes, allocation patterns, and links between funding and outcomes.

The Funder Data Platform offers a groundbreaking solution for funders and researchers to collaborate securely, driving new insights that advance research funding and policy.

The FDP will go live soon.

For more information on access, participation in current projects or opportunities for new projects, please contact Emer Brady (bradyem@ps.au.dk) or Carter Bloch (carter.bloch@ps.au.dk)

Project team

• Vincent Traag, CWTS-Leiden and Senior Research Fellow, RoRI
• Emer Brady, CFA-Aarhus and Research Fellow, RoRI
• Carter Bloch, CFA-Aarhus and Senior Research Fellow, RoRI

Partners and steering group

The FDP has a steering group chaired by Gert V. Balling, Senior Impact Partner at Novo Nordisk Foundation and Co-Chair, RoRI Partnership Board.

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