National Institutes of Health

NIH’s new Data Management Sharing (DMS) Plan format is available for download. The new format is based on a simplified set of required elements for Data Management and Sharing (DMS) Plans and is required for due dates on or after May 25. 

What is required?

The NIH requires a two-step process as part of its data policy:

  1. Plan and budget for the managing and sharing of scientific data
  2. Submit a DMS Plan when applying for funding. Note that individual Institutes, Centers, or Offices may have additional policies and expectations (see NIH Institute and Center Data Sharing Policies).
  3. Comply with the approved DMS Plan.

What do I need to submit as part of my proposal?

Each project proposal must include a Data Management and Sharing (DMS) Plan outlining how scientific data and any accompanying metadata will be managed and shared, taking into account any potential restrictions or limitations. 

What is a data management and sharing (DSM) plan ?

Data management and sharing plans should explain how scientific data generated by research projects will be managed and which of these scientific data and accompanying metadata will be shared. NIH encourages data management and sharing practices to be consistent with the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) data principles and reflective of practices within specific research communities.

Researchers planning to generate scientific data are required to submit a plan to the funding NIH ICO as part of the Budget Justification section of the application for extramural awards, as part of the technical evaluation for contracts, as determined by the Intramural Research Program for Intramural Research Projects consistent with the objectives of this Policy, or prior to release of funds for other funding agreements.

If Plan revisions are necessary (e.g., new scientific direction, a different data repository, or a timeline revision), Plans should be updated.

  • Through Sept 30, 2026 (see NOT-OD-24-176), submit a prior approval request by a Signing Offical in eRA Commons, at least 30 days in advance, with approval required before proceeding.
  • After October 1, 2026 (see NOT-OD-26-100) report progress and changes directly in RPPR Section C.5.c, and on prior approval is needed.

Plans from NIH-funded or conducted research may be made publicly available and should not include proprietary or private information. (See 2023 NIH Policy for Data Management and Sharing)

NIH provides guidance on data sharing approaches, including scientific data to share, relevant standards, repository selection, timelines etc. that apply and should be reflected in a Plan. When no additional NIH and/or NIH ICO data sharing expectations apply, the NIH recommends addressing all Elements to include in a NIH Data Management and Sharing Plan, and the plan must include the following items, using the downloadable form page:

  1. Maximum appropriate sharing scientific data [yes/no]: Indicate if data will be shared according to NIH expectations.
  2. Timing [Yes/No]: Indicate if data underlying peer-reviewed publications will be shared at time of publciation, or for other findings, by the end of the period of performance.
  3. Duration of data availability [Yes/No]: Indicate if data will be made available for at least as long as requried by applicable repository or journal policies.
  4. Description of any limitations indicated in questions 1-3 and 7 [Narrative, 300 word max]: Describe limitations or “No” answers from questions 1-3.
  5. Privacy, rights and confidentiality [Yes/No/Not Applicable]: For shared data from human research participants, indicate if privacy, rights and confidentiality of participants will be protected as outlined in NOT-OD-22-213.
  6. Scientific data to be generated [Table]: In a table with two columns (expected data type, repository), provide key types of data anticipated to be generated during the project, including species and modality. NIH expected use of established repositoryes for preserving and sharing data, when available (see Selecting a Data Repository).
  7. GDC Policy questions [Yes/No/Not Applicable]: For studies subject the the NIH Genomic Data Sharing Policy, (a) indicate if you’ll share all large-scale human genomic and associated data in a NIH-designated repository according to the accelerated timelines and (b) indicate if you when sharing large-scale human genomic data that you’ll be able to meet the expectations of the Institutional Certification in the GDS Policy. If you answer “No” to either part of this question, address it in question 4.
Screenshot of a blank copy of the NIH’s Microsoft Word Document DMS Plan Form.

When do I need to share my data? 

NIH encourages scientific data be shared as soon as possible. For data underlying peer-reviewed papers, data must be shared at time of paper publication; for other findings, data must be shared by the end of the performance period, whichever comes first. NIH encourages researchers to make scientific data available for as long as they anticipate it being useful for the larger research community, institutions, and/or the broader public.

Where can I deposit my data? 

The NIH encourages deposit into repositories that support effective data discovery and reuse, and provides guidance for Selecting a Repository for Data Resulting from NIH-Supported Research, as well as lists of recommended repositories and repository characteristics:

Researchers should discuss their plan for preservation of access to data resulting from the project in their Plan.

How do I submit? 

Before submitting your data to your chosen repository, you will need to ensure you’ve completed these steps.

  • De-identify your data if appropriate.
  • Put your data in an open, machine-readable file format like the eCommons recommended file formats.
  • Document the dataset thoroughly in a separate readme.txt file, and/or create metadata according to the scheme required by your chosen repository.
  • Obtain a DOI or other permanent identifier for the dataset from your chosen repository.
  • Follow the upload instructions for your chosen repository.

Who needs to use this new DMS Plan Form?

Stage of awardExpected transition to new DMS Plan Format
Applications submitted on or after May 25, 2026Submit you DMS Plan in the 2026 format with the application
Applications submitted before May 25, 2026, but not yet awardedConvert to the 2026 format during the pre-award (Just-In-Time) stage
Active awards under the 2023 DMS PolicyConvert to the 2026 format at the next Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR)
Other active awards generating scientific data, including those under the 2003 PolicyConvert or create 2026 format DMS Plan at the next Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR)

Are there any compliance requirements?

  • Research proposals without a Plan will not be considered for funding. 
  • Failure to provide updates in grant reporting may result in an enforcement action, including additional special terms and conditions or termination of the award, and may affect future funding decisions.  
  • Failure to deposit data after the end of the funding period may negatively influence future funding opportunities. 

More information

Implementation

The NIH has had a data management policy since 2003; the new NIH Policy for Data Management and Sharing went into effect January 25, 2023.

Page last updated September 2026