Updated Elements of an NIH Data Management and Sharing Plan

"The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Data Management and Sharing Policy requires applicants to submit a Data Management and Sharing Plan (DMS Plan) for any NIH-funded or conducted research that will generate scientific data (See NIH Grants Policy Statement 8.2.3.1). As part of its ongoing efforts to increase efficiency and minimize applicant burden, NIH is updating the required elements of a DMS Plan. This notice supersedes NOT-OD-21-014.

A DMS Plan must reflect the proposed approach to data management and sharing at the time it is prepared and must be updated throughout the life of the project, as appropriate. NIH encourages data management and sharing practices to be consistent with the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) data principles and reflect best practices within specific research communities.

A DMS Plan must address the elements described below. An updated DMS Plan Format page will be made available upon receipt of OMB clearance. A draft can be viewed here: Data Management and Sharing Plan Format Page. Effective for applications submitted for due dates on or after May 25, 2026, applicants and recipients are required to utilize the new, simpler format. NIH is implementing this updated format page as a pilot and will evaluate the need for additional updates over the next year."