NIH Data Sharing Policy Update

NIH has issued a new Final NIH Policy for Data Management and Sharing, which will require NIH funded researchers to prospectively submit a Data Management and Sharing Plan (DMSP) outlining how scientific data from their research will be managed and shared. On January 25, 2023, the new policy will come into effect and replace the 2003 NIH Data Sharing Policy currently in effect. Please watch this video for more details.

If you plan to generate scientific data and apply for an NIH grant, you must submit a DMSP as part of the Budget Justification section of your application for extramural awards.

What do I include in a NIH Data Management and Sharing Plan?

In these max two-page documents, you will describe your:

• Data type – an overview of the data you are collecting
• Related tools, software, and/or code – what is needed to understand and/or use that data
• Standards – if there are any standardized file formats, data dictionaries, etc
• Data preservation, access, and associated timelines – when and where you will publicly share your data
• Access, distribution, or reuse considerations – any special considerations for securing the data or protecting patient privacy
• Oversight of data management and sharing – who will carry out this plan

Where can I find guidance or additional information?

To help the UC San Diego research community prepare for implementation of the new policy, the following resources are available:

• 2023 NIH Policy Data Management Guidance Documentation
  • DMSP Checklist for researchers
  • Glossary of terms
• NIH Writing A Data Management and Sharing Plan

Official NIH supplemental documentation for the 2023 DMSP policy:

• Elements of an NIH Data Management and Sharing Plan
• Allowable Costs for Data Management and Sharing
• Selecting a Repository for Data Resulting from NIH-Supported Research
• Which Policies Apply to My Research?
• NIH Data Sharing for Applicants and Awardees
• List of Activity Codes Applicable to DMS Policy

Visit the page on public access and open science to learn more.

How do I get started writing a DMSP?

The Data Management Plan Tool, or DMPTool, is a free resource for anyone to use that helps researchers create data management sharing plans as they write their funding proposal.

NIH Sample Data Management and Sharing Plans:

• Clinical and/or MRI data from human research participants
• Genomic data from human research participants
• Genomic data from a non-human source
• Secondary Data Analysis

Additional DMSP Samples:

• Sample Data Management Plans

Need help?

For more assistance with your grant proposal, please contact the Office of Contract & Grant Administration (OCGA) or directly to Michael Kusiak.

For any questions for NIH Health Sciences applications, contact their HS SPPO Analyst or the program itself.

For IRB questions, send an email or visit their website.

For NIH proposal questions, contact SIO's Elizabeth Meier.

For questions about the policy, including planning for data sharing, or selecting a repository please contact Research-Data-Curation@ucsd.edu.