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NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy

This guide includes resources for the new NIH data management and sharing (DMS) policy and DMS Plans. The policy affects all proposals submitted for deadlines on or after January 25, 2023.

Need to write a DMS Plan in a hurry, using the 2023+ rules? Try these starting ideas: 

  • 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.

Although the sharing.nih.gov website has gone down, the data management and sharing policy is still in effect. The data sharing FAQ is available at the NIH Grants FAQs page.

Until the sharing policies link is revised on the NIH Policies and Compliance page, consider accessing the Wayback version of sharing.nih.gov website at the Internet Archive

More great resources can be found at https://www.nnlm.gov/guides/nnlm-toolkit-nih-data-management-and-sharing-policy

Important note

Do not list any VCU Libraries research data staff as responsible parties in any DMP or DMSP, please. We do not have the capacity to provide project-embedded data management services at this time.