Who is most likely to own the data from a research project?

The organization that receives federal funding for a research project typically holds the rights to the data collected. This is due to policies and regulations that govern research funding, particularly when federal funds are involved. These regulations often stipulate that the data produced through funded research is owned by the institution receiving the grant.

Ownership of the data allows the organization to ensure proper management, secure storage, and ethical use of the data in accordance with regulations. This can also include the dissemination of findings and compliance with reporting requirements to funding bodies. Thus, the institution plays a significant role in protecting the integrity of the research and any associated intellectual property.

The other choices may involve different roles in the research process but do not have the same level of ownership rights in this context. For instance, the principal investigator leads the research efforts but typically does not own the data independently of the organization. Similarly, those who collect the data, while essential in the research process, do not have ownership rights to the data itself. The university, although it physically houses the research, is considered part of the broader institution that receives funding and thus operates under the same ownership principles as the organization mentioned in the correct answer.