FAQs
Send all final material submission documents five business days prior to the submission deadline to ensure internal approval and compliance with sponsor, federal, state and university policy. As Research & Sponsored Programs implements new procedures and faculty obtain internal approvals earlier in the process, we hope to adjust this process to reduce the lead time for final administrative review.
Speak to your Sponsored Programs Coordinator. You may be asked to move forward and include a place-holder or draft document. Alternatively, you may be asked to meet an alternative timeline assuming that internal approvals have been obtained previously. Sponsored Programs Coordinators work with PIs to identify solutions, but there are circumstances that may prevent submission if materials are not ready and/or internal approvals and supplementary documentation (e.g. subawards, letters, contract terms) have not been secured.
Per BGSU’s signatory authority policy, Research & Sponsored Programs (RSP) is responsible for submitting all university grants, contracts and agreements for sponsored projects that include research, service, instruction, scholarly activity and creative activities to public agencies (federal, state, or local government); private, nonprofit research organizations; and industries. It is responsible for ensuring compliance, certification and assurance with all university, state, and federal regulations during proposal submission.
Under Ohio law (ORC §3345.14) and federal regulation (OMB Circular A-110, Sec. 53), any tangible research property, including data and research records, created under the auspices of BGSU is owned by the University.
Although the Principal Investigator typically maintains custody or stewardship of the data, ownership remains with BGSU unless a sponsored agreement states otherwise.
No. Research data cannot be copyrighted under U.S. law. This often creates confusion because BGSU generally disclaims ownership of traditional scholarly works (e.g., articles, books). However, this disclaimer does not apply to research data.
So while a researcher may own the copyright to their publications, the underlying data used in those publications is owned by the University.
Research data refers to tangible research property, such as lab notebooks, datasets, and research records, created under the auspices of a university. Under Ohio law (ORC §3345.14) and federal regulation (OMB Circular A‑110, Sec. 53), such data belongs to the University, not the individual researcher.
Work product, on the other hand, consists of copyrightable materials, such as manuscripts, presentations, training modules, instructional materials, or artistic works. These may be owned by the creator or the University depending on authorship, assignment, and level of University support.
Sponsored project agreements may override default ownership rules. If a grant or contract specifies data ownership or rights to copyrightable materials, those terms govern. Where sponsor terms are silent, federal regulations imply that institutions retain ownership of research data.
Yes. While the University owns data, the Principal Investigator typically has custodial responsibility, including day‑to‑day management and authority to publish research results, unless limited by sponsor terms or compliance rules.
Yes. Most universities—including BGSU—disclaim ownership of traditional scholarly works (e.g., journal articles, books, artistic works). Faculty retain copyright to these works, but the underlying research data used to generate them remains University-owned. This distinction allows academic freedom while maintaining proper research stewardship.
Faculty may typically take copies of research data (subject to IRB and grant restrictions), but the original data must remain with the University, as it is University property and required for compliance, auditing, and retention obligations.
However, a data transfer to the new institution may be possible. When a departing researcher needs to continue the research at their new institution—or when ongoing collaboration is anticipated—the University may approve a formal Data Transfer Agreement (DTA) or Data Use Agreement (DUA).
A “work‑for‑hire” is a copyrightable work created as part of an employee’s assigned duties or to meet specific institutional objectives. These works belong to the University, not the creator. Examples include staff‑created manuals or training materials developed as part of assigned job duties.
Not necessarily. The use of ordinary University resources—such as general academic‑year salary, standard office space, typical library and computing access, or basic clerical assistance—does not constitute “substantial assistance” by the University. These routine supports fall within what the University provides to all faculty and do not, on their own, create a University ownership interest.
However, when the University provides support beyond normal academic resources—for example, stipends or supplemental payments, salary awards beyond the regular academic‑year salary, significant staff support, specialized equipment or facilities, or enhanced computing and graphic services—such contributions are considered substantial assistance. In those circumstances, the work may be deemed to have been created with University support, and the University may assert an ownership interest in the resulting materials, consistent with institutional copyright policy.
Updated: 10/19/2026 08:02PM