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New NIH Data Management and sharing policy: Home

This guide helps you have a first glance of what the new NIH policy is about and lists resources that can help you comply with it.

NIH Policy Roadmap

The NIH project roadmap broken down into manageable steps for researchers. It shows what can be done at each step of a project's lifecycle and then connects those steps to the DMS timeline.

An graphic outlining how a researcher can prepare for the NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy. It breaks down the process into steps that can be taken before a proposal is submitted, during the project, and towards the end of the project.

FAQs about the policy

Question

Useful links

What is the directive?

This directive requires EVERYONE submitting NIH proposal to prepare a Data Sharing and Management Plan along the proposal. Also, it requires you to deposit your data in a place where others can find it. The policy is active from January 25 2023.

The official NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy (NOT-OD-21-013)

Why is this policy happening?

The NIH considers that sharing scientific data accelerates biomedical research discovery, in part, by enabling validation of research results, providing accessibility to high-value datasets, and promoting data reuse for future research studies.

NIH point of view

How is this policy different from last NIH data sharing policy?

In the past, only >$500 a year awards where required to share data, now everyone is required to do it. Instead of the final datasets, now all datasets should be shared. The Data Management Plan was flexible, and now they require to address 6 specific elements in the new Data Management and Sharing plan. We can now request funds to comply with the mandate.

You are now required to provide 1) a DMS plan, 2) Data originated in your research, 3) Publish in Open journals. 

Here is a comparison with the key differences

What is a Data Management and Sharing Plan (DMS)?

It is a document, usually 2-page long, that describes 6 elements:

  • What type of data you will produce during your research
  • What code and tools you expect to use to manipulate your data
  • What standards will be applied to your data
  • What plans and timeline you have for preservation and access
  • What measures you will take to share your data, including restrictions
  • Indicate how you will monitor compliance with data management and sharing plan.

How can I create a Data Management and Sharing Plan (DMS)?

The easiest way is to use the DMP tool. This software is available to all UNR researchers. This tool allows you to walk trough the process of filling the DMS required for a grant.

Once you log in with your UNR credentials, you can see templates and examples for different disciplines. We recommend you enable your DMS to be available for other UNR researchers to use it as reference while preparing their own plans.

If you want, our Library Research Data Services team can review your DMP before submission.

Data Management Plan Tool https://dmptool.org/ make sure you sign in with your UNR credentials

NIH DMS instructions including several examples of DMS plans for different types of NIH funded projects are available here

The NIH also crafted a DMS plan annotated template you can use

The OSF also has an annotated example

https://osf.io/euaty

Do I have to submit ALL my data?

NIH wants to maximize data sharing, but understands that some data is sensitive. There are provisions for cases where researchers are exempt of data sharing

What happens once your proposal is approved?

Carry out your research, but keep in mind that you will be sharing your data afterwards, so keep it organized so the work at the end is easier to deliver your datasets at the end of your project.

Have a look at this data management guide for ideas on how to organize your data.

Data curation

Data curation is important. Make sure that you have metadata and code that other researchers can understand and re-use. You can request funds to pay for data curation services.

When do I have to share my data?

As soon as possible, but not later than 1) The time of an associated publication, or 2) The end of the performance period, whichever comes first.

Data sharing is costly, can I budget for that?

Yes, you can request NIH funds to 1) curate your data and develop documentation, 2) data management, 3) store and share data in repositories

NIH information regarding funds for data sharing

I am done with my work, where can I store and share my data?

  • There are several data repositories available, some are more generalists like Dryad and Figshare, while others are more used by certain disciplines. Unless designated, NIH recommends using discipline or data-type specific repositories.
  • UNR Scholarworks, is able to store some small datasets and provide a persistent digital identifier for that. Scholarworks currently does not mint DOIs (Digital Object Identifiers).

NIH list of data repositories commonly used by disciplines funded by them

UNR Scholarworks

Dryad

Figshare