NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy: Home

NIH Link: Elements of an NIH Data Management and Sharing Plan

A Data Management and Sharing Plan that is up to 2 pages in length and includes:

1. Data Type 
   1. Summarize the types and amount of scientific data to be generated and/or used in the research. Describe which scientific data from the project will be preserved and shared. The plan should provide the reasoning for these decisions.  A brief listing of the metadata, other relevant data, and any associated documentation (e.g., study protocols and data collection instruments) that will be made accessible to facilitate interpretation of the scientific data
   2. Genomic data sharing plan is now part of this document: Implementation Changes for Genomic Data Sharing Plans
2. Related Tools, Software and/or Code
   1. Indicate whether specialized tools are needed to access or manipulate shared scientific data to support replication or reuse, and name(s) of the needed tool(s) and software. If applicable, specify how needed tools can be accessed.
3. Standards 
   1. Describe what standards, if any, 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).
   2. NIH Data Management Guidance
4. Data Preservation, Access, and Associated Timelines
   1. Selecting a Data Repository
   2. The name of the repository(ies) where scientific data and metadata arising from the project will be archived. 
   3. How the scientific data will be findable and identifiable, i.e., via a persistent unique identifier or other standard indexing tools.
   4. When the scientific data will be made available to other users and for how long. Identify any differences in timelines for different subsets of scientific data to be shared
5. Access, Distribution, or Reuse Considerations
   1. Describe any applicable factors affecting subsequent access, distribution, or reuse of scientific data including informed consent, privacy and confidentiality protections, legal restrictions, if access is controlled, etc.
   2. Special Considerations:
      1. Human subject data
         1. Protecting Privacy When Sharing Human Research Participant Data
         2. NIH Guidance on Informed Consent and Sharing Data
      2. American Indian/Alaskan Native
         1. 1. Responsible Management and Sharing of American Indian/ Alaska Native Participant Data
6. Oversight of Data Management and Sharing
   1. Monitoring and Management
   2. Specific People Responsible
   3. How often

Budget  

NIH Link: Budgeting for NIH Data Sharing and Management Plan

1. Line item on the budget form
   1. Allowable costs include labor for data curation, de-identification, preservation, etc.
   2. Costs must be paid upfront before the end of the performance period (i.e. repository fees)
2. A brief summary of the DMS Plan and a description of the requested DMS costs in the budget justification
3. Note: Budget and justification will be seen and reviewed by scientific reviewers.

NIH program staff will review the DMS Plan for acceptability and may request modifications prior to award as appropriate. Plans must be approved by the funding institute before award. Scientific reviewers will not see the plan but they will see the budget and budget justification.  The approved plan becomes part of the terms and conditions of the award.

If your plan changes, work proactively with your program officer to have the changes approved.  For example, if you choose to submit to a different repository than specified in your plan, this must be approved and an updated Notice of Award will be issued with the new plan.

The RPPR is being updated to include reporting of data deposited in repositories.  Data shared can be cited as products of awards and listed as products of NIH funding.