This article provides information on the National Institutes of Health’s data management and sharing policy and points to important guidance and resources to aid researchers in complying with policy requirements.
Introduction
The National Institutes of Health Data Management and Sharing (DMS) Policy stipulates that all NIH-funded research that generates scientific data must include a plan for managing and sharing those research data alongside the metadata and documentation necessary for interpretation and reuse. With an emphasis on making data FAIR, NIH’s policy promotes increasing the findability, accessibility, interoperability, and reusability of its funded research outputs.
Final NIH Policy for Data Management and Sharing
NIH Genomic Data Sharing Policy
NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy Overview
NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy Frequently Asked Questions
NIH Sample Data Management and Sharing Plans
Request Revisions to Approved NIH Data Management and Sharing Plan
NIH has updated their guidance on revisions to approved data management and sharing plans. Please note that any changes made to a data management and sharing plan must be included in RPPRs as part of updates on a project's data management and sharing progress.
Implementation Update: NIH Data Management and Sharing Plan Requirements
NIH RPPR Requirements
As of October 1, 2024, the NIH Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR) guidance has been updated to include information on requirements for reporting on data management and sharing activities in compliance with the DMS policy.
NIH RPPR Instruction Guide (see: Section 6.3 - C.5.c Data Management and Sharing, p. 99)
Updated NIH Data Management and Sharing Plan Format
NIH is updating their data management and sharing plan format as of May 25th, 2026. For any submissions on or after May 25th, 2026, researchers must use the new DMS plan format. NIH will no longer accept alternative formats. The updated DMS plan format is available on the NIH Data Management and Sharing Plan Format Page.
For UNC researchers, the DMP Tool has updated their NIH template to reflect these changes. Researchers can use DMP Tool to create their plan and take advantage of the guidance and collaborative features DMP Tool offers. RDMC is available should you want a review of your plan before submitted it to NIH.