Updated Elements of an NIH Data Management and Sharing Plan

On

NOT-OD-26-046

For applications due on or after May 25, 2026, NIH is moving away from the current narrative-style DMS Plan (as reflected in the DMS Plan Format Page) to a format of structured yes/no questions, with limited space for explanation where needed. A new DMS Plan format page is currently under review by the Office of Management and Budget. NIH has made a preview available.

 

The updated Plan will include the following required elements:

  1. Will there be maximum appropriate sharing of scientific data underlying peer-reviewed publications and other findings resulting from the work supported by this award (including preprints, refereed papers reported at conferences, and other findings)? [YES/NO]
  2. Will the scientific data underlying peer-reviewed publications be shared by the time of publication or, for other findings, by the end of the period of performance, which includes no-cost extensions? [YES/NO]
  3. Will shared scientific data be made available for at least as long as required by applicable data repository policies and/or journal policies? [YES/NO]
  4. If you answered “no” to elements 1, 2, or 3, or if you anticipate that sharing will be limited in some other way, please describe these limitations and the ethical, legal, or technical factors for them (see for example FAQ B.5 and other relevant FAQs). Your response should specify a particular reason(s) for limiting sharing. [300 words maximum]
  5. If scientific data derived from human research participants will be shared, will privacy, rights, and confidentiality of participants be protected as outlined in NOT-OD-22-213, including whether any scientific data will be shared using access controls? [YES/NO]
  6. In the table below, please list [100 words maximum]:
    • Key types of scientific data anticipated to be generated during the project, including the species and modality, if known (e.g., “human genomic data,” “rat functional magnetic resonance imaging data”). NIH recognizes that not all data types expected to be generated in the study will meet the definition of scientific data or can be anticipated in advance.  If a data type does not appear on the list, it does not imply that that data type will not be shared if it is generated in the study.
    • The repository or an example of a repository where the scientific data may be managed and shared if the scientific data is known at time of application. NIH expects the use of established repositories for preserving and sharing scientific data when they are available.
  7. For studies subject to the NIH Genomic Data Sharing Policy (GDS) (e.g., using NIH funds to generate large-scale human genomic data):
    • Will you share all large-scale human genomic and associated data in a NIH-designated repository according to the accelerated timelines expected in the GDS Policy? If “no,” address in element 4. [YES/NO/Not Applicable]. If “no,” address in element 4.
    • Do you anticipate that when sharing large-scale human genomic data that you will be able to meet the expectations of the Institutional Certification in the GDS Policy (IV.C.5)? [YES/NO/Not Applicable] If “no,” address in element 4.

 

What’s Not Changing?

  • Researchers planning to generate scientific data are required to submit a DMS Plan.
  • The Plan remains limited to two pages.
  • Awardees are required to comply with the NIH-approved DMS Plan.

 

Updated Resources

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