NIH Data Management and Sharing (DMS) Policy

NIH is implementing a new Data Management and Sharing (DMS) Policy (NOT-OD-21-013) that affects applications as of January 25, 2023. We want to remind the NICHD researcher community of what is expected and make you aware of some helpful resources that are available to you, as you navigate the new requirements.

Summary of the new policy:

Under the 2023 NIH DMS Policy, NIH requires all applicants proposing research that will generate scientific data to prepare a DMS Plan that describes how the scientific data will be managed and shared. 

1. NIH expects researchers to maximize the appropriate sharing of scientific data, taking into account factors such as legal, ethical, or technical issues that may limit the extent of data sharing and preservation.
2. Under the new Policy’s definition of data sharing, sharing data only among a limited group of collaborators or sharing data only upon request will no longer be acceptable.

Definitions

1. Scientific data is defined 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” 
2. Data sharing is defined as “making scientific data available for use by others (e.g., the larger research community, institutions, the broader public), for example, via an established repository”. 

Requirements & Expectations:

Grant applications or contracts proposals with receipt dates on or after January 25, 2023 must include DMS Plans that address all six Elements of a Data Management and Sharing Plan (NOT-OD-21-01) if the proposed research will generate scientific data. 

1. Timing of data sharing: NIH expects researchers to share scientific data as soon as possible, and no later than the time of an associated publication, or the end of the award/support period, whichever comes first. 
2. Use of data repositories: The Policy strongly encourages the use of established data repositories.  The selection of a data repository will help researchers to determine many of the DMS Plan Elements, including metadata and associated documentation, standards, and persistent identifiers to support findability of shared scientific data. 
3. Plan Approval and Monitoring: The DMS Plan will be reviewed and approved by NIH prior to funding and the Plan will become a Term and Condition of the award.  Awardees will be required to comply with their approved DMS Plan and any approved updates and to report on progress at regular reporting intervals (e.g., annual Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR).

Helpful resources that may be useful for you:

1. Tips for Writing a DMS Plan: NICHD-created resource to help researchers develop their DMS Plans, including some information to help you develop each element in the DMS Plan.
2. NIH: https://sharing.nih.gov/ (also see the attached flyer) – including some examples of plans, tools to help plan your budget, and methods for selecting data repositories
3. NICHD: https://www.nichd.nih.gov/about/org/od/odss#resources.  COMING SOON: Examples of sharing plans for research on model organisms, survey data and human clinical  & genomics data.