From "data available upon request" to repository-based sharing: A practical framework for biomedical journals.

Abstract

Data sharing has become a cornerstone of open science, promoting transparency, reproducibility, and the efficient reuse of research data. Although many biomedical journals encourage data sharing, policies remain inconsistent and often require data to be available only upon reasonable request, a practice shown to be largely ineffective. This editorial discusses the rationale, principles, and practical implementation of mandatory repository-based data sharing in biomedical journals, using the experience of Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine as an implementation case. It outlines the policy's key components, current recommendations, and the editorial team's implementation experience. Exceptions based on legal, ethical, or commercial constraints are also described. Repository-based data sharing is intended to strengthen research transparency, reproducibility, and long-term accessibility while reducing reliance on ineffective 'data available upon request' models. A practical framework combining clear requirements, persistent data deposition, standardized data-availability statements, justified exemptions, and active editorial support may facilitate wider adoption of FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data practices across biomedical journals.