NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Data Management and Sharing Policy requires applicants to submit a Data Management and Sharing Plan (DMS Plan) for any NIH-funded or conducted research that will generate scientific data (See NIH Grants Policy Statement 8.2.3.1). As part of its ongoing efforts to increase efficiency and minimize applicant burden, NIH has updated the required elements of a DMS Plan. 

A DMS Plan must reflect the proposed approach to data management and sharing at the time it is prepared and must be updated throughout the life of the project, as appropriate. NIH encourages data management and sharing practices to be consistent with the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) data principles and reflect best practices within specific research communities.

When is the NIH DMS plan required?

The data management plan (historically only required for proposals requesting more than $500K in direct costs annually or projects generating genomic data) is required in most NIH applications.

Snce the DMS Policy went into effect in 2023, NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices have evaluated over 1,100 DMS Plans and found that while the majority were acceptable either initially or after minor revisions, many included extraneous details and exceeded the recommended DMS Plan length. NIH is revising DMS Plan elements and requiring the use of the corresponding format page to aid compliance monitoring.

A DMS Plan must address the elements described below. An updated DMS Plan Format page will be made available upon receipt of OMB clearance.

Effective for applications submitted for due dates on or after May 25, 2026, applicants and recipients are required to utilize the new, simpler format. NIH is implementing this updated format page as a pilot and will evaluate the need for additional updates over the next year. Use the updated DMAS Plan Form. 

DMS Policy Applies* DMS Policy Does Not Apply
  • Research Projects
  • Some Career Development Awards (Ks)
  • Small Business (SBIR/STTR)
  • Research Centers
  • Training  (T)
  • Fellowships (F)
  • Construction (C06)
  • Resources (Gs)
  • Research Related Infrastructure Programs (S06)

 What is required under this policy?

  • Effective for applications submitted for due dates on or after May 25, 2026, applicants and recipients are required to utilize the new, simpler format. NIH is implementing this updated format page as a pilot and will evaluate the need for additional updates over the next year.
  • Include Budget Request for Data Management and Sharing costs in NIH grant application
  • Submit Data management and Sharing Plan with NIH application
  • Adhere to NIH-approved Data Management and Sharing Plan when funded

What resources are available?

Updated DMS Plan Form

Why is there a new policy? 

This new policcy is intended to update DMS Plan elements to clarify common areas of confusion in the research community while streamlining and simplifying DMS Plans. Since the DMS Policy went into effect in 2023, NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices have evaluated over 1,100 DMS Plans and found that while the majority were acceptable either initially or after minor revisions, many included extraneous details and exceeded the recommended DMS Plan length. Therefore, NIH is revising the DMS Plan elements and requiring the use of the corresponding formate page to aid compliance monitoring.

For additional details and information see: 

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