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NIH requires researchers to submit a Data Management and Sharing Plan (DMS Plan) with grant applications submitted on or after January 25, 2023. This policy applies to all research, funded or conducted in whole or in part by NIH, that results in the generation of scientific data.
NIH strongly encourages the use of established repositories to the extent possible for preserving and sharing scientific data.
Once a grant has been awarded, the DMS Plan becomes part of the award's terms and conditions. NIH expects researchers and institutions to implement data management and sharing practices as described in their approved Plan. Compliance with the DMS Plan, including any updates, may be reviewed during regular reporting intervals.
To learn more about the NIH Policy for Data Management and Sharing, please visit the links below or watch this short video overview of the policy. You can also watch NIH webinars about the new policy.
A DMS Plan should include the following elements:
See the box on the left for links to example DMS Plans.
General advice for writing a DMS Plan:
The new DMS Policy allows researchers to budget for data management and sharing activities. Reasonable costs may be included in NIH budget requests for:
Costs must be incurred during the performance period.
The current policy will remain until January 25, 2023. On that date, the new NIH Policy on Data Management and Sharing will take effect. Learn more about the new policy on the other tab in this box.
Investigators submitting an NIH application seeking $500,000 or more in direct costs in any single year are expected to include a plan for data sharing or state why data sharing is not possible.
The NIH policy on data sharing applies:
In NIH's view, all data should be considered for data sharing. Data should be made as widely and freely available as possible while safeguarding the privacy of participants, and protecting confidential and proprietary data.
Source: NIH Data Sharing Policy: Goals, accessed 6/14/17
For more information on NIH's DMP requirements:
Video description: Navigate Webinar: The New NIH Data Management & Sharing Policy. Originally presented to U-M research administrators on November 1, 2022. Slides that accompanied the webinar: 20221101_NIHPolicy_RAACNavigate
Video description: A Conversation with NIH: Diving Deeper into the new NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy. Originally presented by NIH in September 2022. Slides that accompanied the webinar: DMS Webinar Resource Slides (pptx).
Video description: A Conversation with NIH: Understanding the New NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy. Originally presented by NIH in August 2022. Slides that accompanied the webinar: DMS Webinar Resource Slides (pptx).
Video description: Dr. Lisa Federer presents an introduction to the NIH Policy for Data Management and Sharing which will take effect at the start of 2023. Originally presented by NNLM in February 2022.