Scientists Seeking NSF Funding Will Soon Be Required to Submit Data Management Plans - US National Science Foundation (NSF)

"During the May 5th meeting of the National Science Board, National Science Foundation (NSF) officials announced a change in the implementation of the existing policy on sharing research data. In particular, on or around October, 2010, NSF is planning to require that all proposals include a data management plan in the form of a two-page supplementary document....Ed Seidel, acting assistant director for NSF's Mathematical and Physical Sciences directorate, [said] "...[O]penly sharing data will pave the way for researchers to communicate and collaborate more effectively." ...Cora Marrett, NSF acting deputy director, [said] "It will address the need for data from publicly-funded research to be made public." Seidel acknowledged that each discipline has its own culture about data-sharing, and said that NSF wants to avoid a one-size-fits-all approach to the issue....Seidel noted that requiring the data management plans was consistent with NSF's mission and with the growing interest from U.S. policymakers in making sure that any data obtained with federal funds be accessible to the general public...."