On January 25, 2023 the NIH implemented a new policy that requires grant applications for ALL research projects that generate scientific data to include a robust and detailed plan for how you will manage and share data during the entire funded period. The NIH refers to this plan as a Data Management and Sharing Plan (DMSP), which is similar to what other funders call a Data Management Plan (DMP) but we will refer to it as a DMSP in this guide.
All new and competing proposals/renewals that generate scientific data for January 25, 2023, and subsequent receipt dates, have to include a DMSP in order to qualify for approval. The DMSP will be assessed by NIH program staff (though peer reviewers will be able to comment on the proposed data management budget). The Institute, Center, or Office (ICO)-approved plan becomes a Term and Condition of the Notice of Award.
The term scientific data is defined in the policy 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."
Your plan should be two pages or fewer and must include the sections below:
For more information on these sections, see the NIH guidance here and in the section below, and our guide to DMPs here.
The purpose of the new policy is to support good data management practices and maximize the appropriate sharing of scientific data generated from NIH-funded or conducted research. Familiarize yourself with the FAIR principles (Wilkinson et. al, 2016). The FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable, reusable) data principles are the guiding principles the NIH has used in creating the new policy. For more information about sharing data, see our guide
More information here.
The NIH has provided these example DMSPs for different centers.
The National Institute of Mental Health has shared these example DMSPs.
The University of Arizona libraries has provided these examples as well.
We will update this space with more examples as they become available.
The NIH answers Frequently Asked Questions about the policy.
Some of the content above came from the University of Arizona Libraries Data Cooperative, see their helpful guide for more information.
If you’re unfamiliar with what a DMP is, don’t worry, we've got you covered!
The Research Data Services team can meet with you individually to go over these changes and library resources, or we can present on them to your team, lab, or department. Contact the library’s Research Data Services team (tul-rds@temple.edu) to set up a consultation or presentation.
Check out our guide to Data Management Plans.
The Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) has a page of resources.
Find policy information on the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NNLM) Toolkit.
Learn more about the 2023 NIH DMSP Policy with these recordings of our previous workshops and events:
Writing a Data Management Plan for the New 2023 NIH Guidelines on January, 19, 2023 at 12pm Slides
2023 NIH Policy Changes on October 26 at 12pm Slides
Let’s Talk Data! Temple Researchers Respond to the 2023 NIH Data Management & Sharing Plan Policy Changes on November 2nd at 12pm
For updates and future events sign up for our mailing list.
For writing a DMP, we recommend using the DMPTool, an online tool that guides the user through each section of a DMP required by funders and includes a template for the 2023 NIH guidance. You can log in with your AccessNet credentials by selecting the Institution option when logging in and searching for Temple University.
For help in using the DMPTool -
The new NIH policy requires that plans include details of how research data will be shared, with appropriate exceptions. Temple Libraries' Research Data Services team can help you with questions about how and where to deposit your data after the conclusion of your research project.
If you have any questions about the NIH changes, the DMPTool, or DMPs please contact Research and Data Services Librarian Will Dean (will.dean@temple.edu) or the library’s Research Data Services team (tul-rds@temple.edu).
Read the upcoming NIH guidance below, along with supplementary information and FAQs from the NIH's Office of Science Policy.
