Research Data Compliance
About us
UNC Charlotte (Charlotte) is firmly committed to the principles of academic freedom and the unrestricted exchange of knowledge—cornerstones of research and scholarship. The University actively encourages faculty, staff, and students to engage in both fundamental and applied research, recognizing its potential to drive innovation and enrich educational experiences. As research activities expand, it is essential to safeguard data and intellectual property in accordance with Charlotte policies and applicable federal and state regulations.
Over the past decade, the landscape of research data generation and sharing has undergone significant evolution. Increasingly, external sponsors and publishers mandate strict data-sharing protocols, requiring researchers to make their data publicly accessible. This shift presents new challenges, as researchers must navigate complex compliance requirements involving third-party expectations, privacy regulations, and institutional policies. To support this effort, the Research Data Compliance team provides administrative assistance to investigators and research staff.
Areas of support include (but are not limited to):
- Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)
- NIST 800 -171
- Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 1 & 2
- Data that meets export control requirements
- Bulk Data
- Genomic Bulk Data
- Secure Research Enclave
On this website, you will find:
- Research Data Management – High level guidance for data management plans, storing research data, and meeting sponsor compliance requirements.
- Data Security & Categories – Overview of UNC Charlotte’s data security requirements, including PI responsibilities.
- Data Categories – Definitions and criteria for regulated and sensitive research data types.
- Secure Research Enclave (SeRE) – Technical specs, access guidelines, and requirements for using the University’s high-security computing environment for sensitive data.
Related Policies & PROCEDURES
- Guideline for Data Handling
- Information Security University Policy 311
- Standard for Information Classification
- Guideline for Research Data Security
- Guideline for Data Security in Cloud Services
- College Data Security Officers
- College Data Security Officer (DSO) Research Data Registration Form
- Regulation Regarding Third-Party Data Subject to Contractual Access Restrictions
- University Policy 311.9
- Standard for Information Security Related to Vendors and External Parties
OTHER RESOURCES
Team
For inquiries or assistance regarding any of the above, or other research data, you can reach out to the team at Research Data Compliance and/or Export Control.
Thank you,
Kendra Raynor, Research Data Compliance Coordinator
Dr. Angelica Martins, Assistant Vice Chancellor and Research Integrity Officer (RIO)
Saul Sotolongo, Director of Research Security and COI