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NSF Data Management and Sharing Policy

Common Questions about the Final NSF Policy for Data Management and Sharing

Timeline for New 2025 NSF Public Access Requirements

Frequently asked questions about the DMS Policy and DMS Plans:

  • What proposals are affected?
    • Beginning in 2025, NSF will require that researchers deposit scientific data... undergirding peer-reviewed publications deposited in NSF-PAR in data repositories. The requirements will apply to new awards resulting from proposals submitted or due on or after January 2025.
  • Where should my Data Management and Sharing Plan be included in my application for funding?
    • Proposals must include a document of no more than two pages uploaded under “Data Management and Sharing Plan” in the supplementary documentation section of Research.gov.
    • Line G.2. of the proposal budget also may be used to request funding for data deposit and data curation costs.
  • What is the actual policy?
  • Where should I share my data?
    1. Top priority goes to any repository named in the FOA or required by the Institute or Center 
    2. In the absence of requirements, prioritize a domain-specific repository if one is suited to your Institute, discipline, or data type
    3. If no domain repositories fit, consider an approved generalist repository. We recommend OSF as a favorite generalist repository, but any data repository on the approved generalist list will do a great job
  • What other frequently asked/answered questions?
  • What if we work with human subjects data? Is it still affected?
    • Yes! At least, yes a DMS Plan will be required for studies producing scientific data even if the data is from human subjects
      • Part of the DMS Plan includes explaining why and how you may limit sharing, either through aggregation or not sharing at all. If sharing is not anticipated at all, that should be explained when you write and submit the Plan document
    • If the consent forbids sharing, that should be addressed in the Plan. 
    •  For human subjects data under a Data Use Agreement, always prioritize following the DUA over any sharing! Describe the terms of the DUA, and what (if anything) remains to be shared. For example, summary or aggregate findings might still be appropriate, depending on the terms of your DUA.

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