Data Management and Sharing Plans

On this page...

• Overview
• NIH Policy for Data Management and Sharing
• Research Subject to Both the NIH Genomic Data Sharing (GDS) Policy and the NIH DMS Policy
• Preparing Data Management and Sharing (DMS) Plans
• Requesting and Justifying Costs for Data Management and Sharing
• Need Related Information?

NIH Policy for Data Management and Sharing

All investigator-initiated applications conducting research that generates scientific data, regardless of budget, will be expected to include a data management and sharing (DMS) plan to comply with the NIH 2023 Data Management and Sharing Policy (NOT-OD-21-013).

DMS plans may be further negotiated and considered as part of the funding decision. Applications will only be funded when data management and sharing plans are complete and accepted by NIH program staff. See NOT-OD-21-014 for information about the elements of an NIH DMS plan.

Some funding opportunity announcements have specific data sharing expectations. See also NIH information on preparing DMS plans.

Research Subject to Both the NIH Genomic Data Sharing (GDS) Policy and the NIH DMS Policy

All NIH-funded research that generates large-scale human or non-human genomic data is also subject to the NIH Genomic Data Sharing (GDS) Policy (NOT-OD-14-124). Thresholds for projects that fall within the scope of the GDS Policy are available on the NCI Genomic Data Sharing webpage.

When both the DMS and GDS policies apply, only one plan that addresses both policies should be submitted. Note that GDS Policy expectations remain in place regarding data to be submitted, repository and timelines for data submission and release, and informed consent and institutional certification.

Preparing Data Management and Sharing (DMS) Plans

The principal investigator and institution are expected to

• Affirm their intention to manage and share scientific data in a manner consistent with all relevant NIH data sharing policies.
• State whether they may need to request an exception to any NIH data sharing policy, and the rationale for the request.
• State that they understand that NIH program staff will need to approve the data management and sharing plans before funding decisions are made.

The DMS plan will need to address the following elements:

• Data type and amount that will be preserved and shared
• Related tools, software, code needed to access and manipulate data
• Standards to be applied to scientific data and metadata
• Data preservation, access, timelines: Repository to be used, persistent unique identifier, and when/ how long data will be available
• Access, distribution, reuse considerations: Description of factors for data access, distribution, or reuse
• Oversight of data management and sharing. Description of how plan compliance will be monitored/ managed and by whom
• Additional details and guidance can be found at the following links:
  • Elements of an NIH Data Management and Sharing Plan
  • Selecting a Repository for Data Resulting from NIH-Supported Research
  • Writing a Data Management and Sharing Plan, including a Sample Plans Table

The DMS plan should address all data sharing in the application, including requirements from other policies.

Applicants should attach the DMS Plan in new the “Other Plan(s)” field that has been added to the PHS 398 Research Plan Form and the PHS 398 Career Development Award Supplemental Form. See NOT-OD-23-012 for more information.

NOTE: Resource Sharing Plans (e.g., for model organisms, biospecimen management and sharing) for other policies and requirements should still be included in the grant application’s “Resource Sharing Plan” section.

Contact an EGRP program director for questions on the DMS policy.

Requesting and Justifying Costs for Data Management and Sharing

Under the NIH DMS policy, investigators can submit a budget to cover costs of data management and sharing, with a brief justification (half page) outlining the budget items. Investigators whose research projects are also subject to the GDS Policy should also include requested costs for genomic data management and sharing (NOT-OD-22-198)

Need Related Information?

• Visit the webpage on NCI Data Sharing Guidance to learn more about NCI-specific information and policies.
• Visit the NIH web page on NIH Public Access to learn more about related policies and guidance.