NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy

Need to write a DMS Plan in a hurry?

• Try our starter DMS Plan template for sharing with the Open Science Framework, for PIs who do not plan to use a data repository from a specific NIH Institute 
• This is the easiest option, and fits for disciplines where data sharing is new. Especially good for data types that are primarily focused on a few spreadsheets and associated data dictionaries or comebooks
• Or download a more basic Word template file with just the blank DMS Plan sections to help you start
• See the NIH's optional format page for preparing the DMS Plans 
• This is the most formal template that is available, but it may not fit for complex studies with multiple data types being shared in different ways
• For a more detailed template to guide you through the DMSP format and associated guidance, visit https://dmptool.org. 
• If you have never used DMP Tool before, choose Option 1 in the upper-right, then enter your VCU email to log in with your eID. Click the create a plan button, and then and enter NIH as the funder, then use the "Write Plan" tab to get a step-by-step walkthrough of Plan sections plus links to NIH guidance sites. Because it's all in one place, this is a great way to practice the new planning process as you work through the format.