Creating an NIH Data Management and Sharing Plan

As of January 25, 2023, the NIH will put into effect an updated Data Management and Sharing Policy that will apply to all NIH-funded research that generates scientific data, regardless of funding mechanism. Compliance with this policy requires submission of a Data Management and Sharing Plan (DMSP) with the funding application, outlining the plan for managing, preserving, and sharing project data. This guide provides recommendations for creating a compliant DMSP.

For a consultation, please contact datalab@northwestern.edu

NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy and supplemental guidance links:

• NOT-OD-21-013: The Final NIH Policy for Data Management and Sharing
  • Plan writing supplement: Elements of an NIH Data Management and Sharing Plan
  • Cost-defining supplement: Allowable Costs for Data Management and Sharing
  • Repository selection supplement: Selecting a Repository for Data Resulting from NIH-Supported Research

See also:

• NIH's website on data sharing, https://sharing.nih.gov/, for all the latest updates and links
• NIH's FAQs for the NIH Policy for Data Management and Sharing (DMS Policy)
• NIH's Implementation Details for the NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy
• NIH's DMP Format Page (a sample template for creating a Data Management and Sharing Plan)

Consult the sections of this guide for section-by-section guidance on creating an NIH Data Management Plan.

What data should be shared?

• Sufficient data to validate and replicate study findings
• Data produced through the study but not necessarily resulting in a publication
• Null findings on which no publication will be made

Which data are not eligible to be shared?

• Laboratory notebooks
• Preliminary analyses
• Completed case report forms
• Drafts of scientific papers
• Plans for future research
• Peer reviews
• Communications with colleagues
• Physical objects, such as lab specimens

Above adapted from: Federer, Lisa. Introduction to the NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy. National Library of Medicine, Office of Strategic Initiatives.