NIH has issued the Data Management and Sharing (DMS) policy to promote the sharing of scientific data. Sharing scientific data accelerates biomedical research discovery, in part, by enabling validation of research results, providing accessibility to high-value datasets, and promoting data reuse for future research studies.
Under the DMS policy, NIH expects that investigators and institutions:
Each of the steps below will help you integrate data management and sharing into your funding application and research process. Select a step to learn more.
Since 2011, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has required data management plans (DMPs) for incoming grant applications. This guide will help you understand the NSF’s data management requirements and help you write a useful, compliant plan. At first glance, the inclusion of data management plans may seem like another box to check off in the grant application process; however, these plans are becoming an increasingly important part of NSF grant applications and are becoming more thoroughly reviewed. To keep your application competitive you’ll want a DMP that is as good as your research.
Proposals must include a supplementary document of no more than two pages labeled "Data Management Plan". This supplementary document should describe how the proposal will conform to NSF policy on the dissemination and sharing of research results. See PAPPG Chapter II.C.2.j for full policy implementation.
NSF Dissemination and Sharing of Research Results
NSF's Award and Administration Guide (AAG) Chapter VI.D.4
For reference, check out the DMPTool and public examples.
What is new about the 2023 NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy?
Beginning on January 25, 2023, ALL grant applications or renewals that generate Scientific Data must include a detailed plan for managing and sharing data through the entire funded period with plans for data dissemination. You must provide this information in a Data Management and Sharing Plan (DMSP). In addition, once the award is made and plan approved, compliance with the DMSP will be a determining condition of the work, meaning it can impact future funding decisions.
Why is the NIH making these changes?
The NIH is emphasizing good data stewardship with the goals of advancing rigorous and reproducible research and promoting public trust in scientific endeavors.
How does the NIH define scientific data?
Scientific Data are "the recorded factual material commonly accepted in the scientific community as of sufficient quality to validate and replicate research findings, regardless of whether the data are used to support scholarly publications. Scientific data do not include laboratory notebooks, preliminary analyses, completed case report forms, drafts of scientific papers, plans for future research, peer reviews, communications with colleagues, or physical objects, such as laboratory specimens."
Am I required to share my data?
The policy encourages efforts to maximize appropriate sharing, but recognizes exceptions (i.e., legal, ethical, or technical reasons). These reasons must be communicated in the NIH DMSP. In addition, sharing plans must be communicated in informed consent documents. In the end, ALL data must be managed, even if not all data can be shared.
The DMSP must include the following key elements and should be concise (2-pages or fewer). Plans should be updated throughout the award.
The NIH has created a new website with more detailed information about the DMSP. You can also read the Supplemental Information: Elements of an NIH Data Management and Sharing Plan for more details.