Effective Jan. 25, 2023, NIH issued a new Data Management and Sharing (DMS) policy to encourage the sharing of scientific data. View the key differences between the 2003 Data Sharing Policy and the NEW Data Management and Sharing (DMS) Policy.
NIH defines scientific data as “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 (e.g., laboratory specimens).
Do You need a DMS Plan?
Scientific data will vary depending on the project and the context.
View a complete list of NIH grant programs. Or, you can use the NIH decision tool to determine what sharing polices apply to your research in five minutes or less.
DMS policy applies to all research that generates scientific data
- Research Projects
- Some Career Development Awards (Ks)
- Small Business SBIR/STTR
- Research Centers
DMS policy does not apply to research and other activities that do not generate scientific data
- Training (T)
- Fellowships (F)
- Construction Grants (C06)
- Conference Grants (R13)
- Resources (Gs)
- Research-Related Infrastructure Programs (S06)
Once you determine that your NIH grant requires a DMS plan, follow three basic steps:
- Plan & Budget for DMS (Tip: start your DMS planning & budgeting early in the process.)
- Submit & Review of DMS Plans (Tip: data plans & budgets are part of the funding proposal; peer review will not see/review DMS plans but will consider related budget items; NIH program staff will review the DMS plan prior to the award.)
- Implement the DMS Plan (Tip: manage/share data as describe in the DMS; provide updates on data activities in annual progress reports; work with NIH Program Officer for any changes.
Tools and Resources
Writing a Data Management & Sharing Plan
- DMS checklist
- NIH Resources
- UF Office of Research Resources
- DMPTool : a free, open-source, online application that helps researchers create data management plans (DMPs).
- DMS Plan Blank Template
Sample Plans
- NIH Resources
- Sample Plan A: Clinical and/or MRI data from human research participants
- Sample Plan B: Genomic data from human research participants
- Sample Plan C: Genomic data from a non-human source
- Sample Plan D: Secondary Data Analysis
- Sample Plan E: Human Genomics Data
- Sample Plan F: Technology Development
- Sample Plan G: Human Clinical and Genomics Data
- Sample Plan H: Gene expression analysis data from non-human model organism (zebrafish)
- Sample Plan I: Human Survey Data
Budgeting for Data Management & Sharing Plan
Repositories
- NIH Resources
- UF Office of Research resources
- NIH Supplemental Policy Information: Selecting a Repository for Data Resulting from NIH-Supported Research
- NIH-supported scientific data repositories
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