NIH Policy Requirements
As of January 25, 2023, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) requires all research seeking grant funds that result in scientific data to submit a data management and sharing plan (DMSP).
Required Documents are:
- A two-page data management and sharing plan as part of the funding application. This plan will outline how the generated scientific data and accompanying documentation will be managed and shared
- A data management and sharing plan as part of the grant application process
By submitting a DMSP, it will maximize the appropriate sharing of scientific data generated from NIH-funded or conducted research in the plant, with justified limitations of exceptions.
For more information on the new DMSP policy, please review the NIH Scientific Data Sharing Page: The Who, What, Where and When of the NIH Data Management and Sharing (DMS) Policy.
What is a Data Management Plan (DMP)?
A DMP is a formal, living document, that outlines what you will do with your data during and after your research project. Even if your study is not being funded by a federal agency, like the NIH, it is still best practice to have a DMP in place.
All of the following must be included in your DMP (provided by the NIH):
- Data Type - Include the type of data and estimated amount of data being generated. Use general terms and descriptions about data modality (e.g. imaging, genomic, mobile, survey), how the data is aggregated and processed.
- Related Tools, Software and Code - Indicate if specialized tools are needed to reproduce your research and how they can be accessed.
- Standards - An indication of what standards will be applied to the scientific data and associated metadata (i.e., data formats, data dictionaries, data identifiers, definitions, unique identifiers, and other data documentation).
- Data Preservation - The name of the repository, where scientific data and metadata will be archived. For more information see NIH Repositories for Sharing Scientific Data.
- Access and Timelines - A description of how the data will be made available and what unique persistent identifiers (PID) you will use to support reporting out on your progress and outputs. Provide the timeframe with the expectation that the data should be made available as soon as possible.
- Access, Distribution, or Reuse Considerations - Including informed consent, privacy and confidentiality protections like de-identification and Certificates of Confidentiality, any data use agreements or licensing limitations.
- Oversight of Data Management and Sharing - How and when the data management plan will be monitored and managed, and by whom (e.g. , titles, roles).