Beginning January 25, 2023, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Policy for Data Management and Sharing (DMS) requires researchers to submit a DMS Plan. The goal of this policy is to maximize the availability of data from NIH-supported research to advance NIH’s mission to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce illness and disability. The DMS policy will provide a consistent, minimum expectation of data management and sharing for all research supported by the agency. Additionally, the policy applies to all research, funded or conducted in whole or in part by the NIH, that generates scientific data. Several resources are available to help investigators implementing the NIH DMS policy. See the overview below and visit the NIH Scientific Data Sharing Website for additional details.
Please note: The NIH DMS policy does not apply to applications with receipt dates before January 25, 2023.
Overview
Under the DMS policy, NIH expects that investigators and institutions:
- Plan and budget for the managing and sharing of data
- Submit a DMS plan for review when applying for funding
- Comply with the approved DMS plan
Quick Step Guide to Implementing the DMS Policy
Determine applicability of the policy to your research data
The 2023 NIH DMS Policy applies to all research funded or conducted in whole or in part by NIH that generates scientific data.
- Scientific data include any data needed to validate and replicate research findings.
- 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.
Investigators from foreign institutions and U.S. investigators collecting data in other countries should familiarize themselves with the policies governing data sharing in the countries in which they plan to work, and address specific limitations in the DMS Plan.
See also the considerations for proprietary data, which may apply to Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) applications. Questions about data sharing expectations for proprietary data may be directed to the NIH Office of Science Policy, while small businesses may wish to contact the NIH Small Business Education and Entrepreneurial Development Office.
Check the complete list of NIH activity codes subject to the DMS Policy, as well as the funding opportunity to determine if the DMS Policy applies to your application.
Evaluate sharing needs according to all relevant policies governing the data and identify appropriate methods/approaches and repositories for managing and sharing scientific data.
Some research may be subject to additional sharing policies. To find out more, use the decision tool Which Policies Apply to My Research?
Developing a DMS Plan
For extramural (grants) research, DMS Plans should be included within the “Other Plan(s) field on the PHS 398 Research Plan or PHS 398 Career Development Award Supplemental Form as indicated in the Application Instructions. A brief summary and associated costs should be submitted as part of the budget and budget justification (see Budgeting for Data Management and Sharing and the Application Instructions for additional details).
- Refer to the NIH guidance for writing a DMS Plan.
- Follow NIH guidance for estimating allowable DMS costs.
- Follow NIH guidance for the DMS Plan format: see “Elements to Include in a DMS Plan”. There is an optional DMS Plan format page that may be used, and sample plans are available.
- The DMS Plan may be revised, if/when needed.
- Go to the ERA Helpdesk for any questions with ASSIST.
Selecting a Data Repository
NIH encourages researchers to select data repositories that exemplify desirable characteristics, including when a data repository is supported or provided by a cloud-computing or high-performance computing platform. These characteristics aim to ensure that data are managed and shared in ways that are consistent with FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) data principles. See also: Data Sharing Resources from the National Library of Medicine and Additional Considerations for Human Data.
Other Resources
See also NIH’s 2023 Data Management & Sharing Policy Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
Have a Question?
For additional information, please contact your Program Officer. You can find contact information within the appropriate Program Division’s staff listing https://nida.nih.gov/about-nida/organization
This page will be updated as additional policy or guidelines are established and as new resources are released. Please note: The NIH DMS policy does not apply to applications with receipt dates before January 25, 2023.
See the NIH Scientific Data Sharing Website for additional information and resources.