How is the 2023 NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy different from the 2003 NIH Data Sharing Policy?
The 2003 NIH Data Sharing Policy:
- Applications submitted on or after October 1, 2003 seeking $500,000 or more in direct costs in any single year must describe the plan for sharing the data or explain why it cannot be shared
The 2023 NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy:
- All new and competing applications submitted on or after January 25, 2023 whose NIH-funded research generates scientific data must include a Data Management and Sharing Plan (DMSP). It is not retroactive.
- The plan should:
- Be two pages or less and updated throughout the award period, as needed
- Describe how the data will be managed and shared
- Include details about restrictions or limitations
- Plans will be reviewed by NIH Program Staff
- Although the policy does not explicitly require data sharing, you must provide a justification if you feel you cannot legally or ethically share your data
- Data is expected to be shared no later than publication or end of award period
- Compliance will be included in the terms and conditions of the award and will be monitored.
View a short video overview of the new policy, presented by NIH.
View the Dec. 9, 2022 webinar on the policy and UAlbany resources, presented by Taunton Paine and Cindy Danielson of the NIH.
Which data does this policy apply to?
NIH defines scientific data as:
"The recorded factual material commonly accepted in the scientific community as of sufficient quality to validate and replicate research findings, regardless of whether the data are used to support scholarly publications. Scientific data do not include laboratory notebooks, preliminary analyses, completed case report forms, drafts of scientific papers, plans for future research, peer reviews, communications with colleagues, or physical objects, such as laboratory specimens."
Why does the NIH want research data shared?
Data sharing:
- Helps the scientific community replicate and verify research findings
- Enables other researchers to expand on research findings or combine datasets to perform meta-analyses
- Can increase the discoverability, impact, and collaboration opportunities for researchers
- Provides transparency and accountability to taxpayers whose tax dollars fund research
How will compliance with the policy be monitored and enforced?
- Compliance will be included in the terms and conditions of the award
- Compliance will be monitored at regular reporting intervals, such as the annual Research Performance Progress Reports
- Non-compliance may affect future award decisions and may also result in:
- Additional terms and conditions
- Termination of the award
