New Policy! NIH Data Management and Sharing

To promote the sharing of scientific data, the National Institute of Health (NIH) now requires all grant applications and competitive renewals to provide a detailed data management and sharing plan through the entire funded period with plans for data dissemination. You may have already seen references to “FAIR data” or the NIH’s new FAIR Data and Repository Unit.

What’s the purpose of this change? To:

• Accelerate biomedical research discovery.
• Enable validation of research results.
• Provide accessibility to high-value datasets.
• Promote data reuse for future research studies.

In addition to federal funders, state, and private funders may follow with similar policies in the upcoming years. Publishers are also starting to recommend or require data sharing.

So how do you do make sure you’re following the new FAIR data practices? Here are some tips:

• First, when you apply for funding, submit a Data Management and Sharing (DMS) plan. The NIH provides sample DMS plans.
• Check your DMS plan against the FAIR Guidelines to make sure you’ll be in compliance.
• Validate, organize, secure, and preserve your data at every stage.
• Select a data repository meeting the NIH requirements.
• Make sure to comply with your DMS plan once it’s approved!

Support is available! Contact your Program Officer for details on your specific requirements. In this inaugural year, data plans will be reviewed separately from grant applications and will not be a deciding factor in the award process.

In addition, the Geisinger Data Management & Sharing Task Force has representatives from Research Administration, Office of Sponsored Projects, Library Services, Research Compliance, Research Computing, Information Technology, and NIH-funded faculty representatives. This task force:

• Educates Research Institute faculty and staff
• Consults with NIH-funded investigators
• Ensures infrastructure and support
• Determines & communicates internal policies and practices
• Geisinger Library offers communications, outreach materials, and informational sessions

Write to us for assistance. For more NIH training & support visit, sharing.nih.gov, read the NIH DMS FAQs, and DMS Tips.