By MELISSA RATAJESKI
The National Institutes of Health’s Data Management and Sharing (DMS) Policy goes into effect Janu. 25, 2023, and will require NIH-funded researchers to submit a plan within their funding application or proposal, outlining how scientific data from their research will be managed and shared. Plans should be one to two pages and address the six recommended elements:
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Data types: A description of the scientific data to be managed, preserved and shared including the type and amount/size of scientific data expected. Include a brief listing of the metadata, other relevant data, and/or any associated documentation (e.g., study protocols and data collection instruments) that will also be made accessible, to facilitate interpretation.
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Related tools, software and/or code: The names of any specialized tools needed to access or manipulate the data, with access instructions if they are researcher-produced tools.
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Standards: The names of any data collection instruments, metadata standards, data formats, common data elements or other data standards that will apply to the collected data, if applicable.
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Data preservation, access, and associated timelines: Plans and timelines for data preservation and access, including the name of the repository(ies) where scientific data and metadata arising from the project will be archived and how the data will be findable and identifiable.
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Access, distribution, or reuse considerations: General discussion of any legal, technical, consent, or privacy-related reason preventing the full and timely sharing of all data resulting from the research.
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Oversight of data management and sharing: Indicate how compliance with the plan will be monitored and managed, frequency of oversight, and by whom (e.g., titles, roles).
Note: If a researcher’s application is also subject to the Genomic Data Sharing (GDS) Policy, GDS-specific topics should be addressed within the general DMS plan, as a separate GDS plan will no longer be required.
One resource available to help with writing a DMS plan is the DMPTool: A free, online resource that provides fillable templates for a variety of funders including foundations and federal agencies including NIH. You can sign in with your University of Pittsburgh e-mail address (no additional account required). Features include the ability to collaboratively write the plan with colleagues from any institution and a “request feedback” button (highlighted below) which submits your plan to the libraries for informal feedback by faculty librarians (please allow at least a week for comments).
In addition to offering feedback on plans, librarians can help with:
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Decisions around selection of a repository or data sharing platform
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Creating thoughtful metadata to increase the discoverability of your data
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Including your record in the Pitt Data Catalog
Library contact information is provided below in addition to other resources on campus.
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Office of Sponsored Programs (specific to questions about Data Use Agreements)
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Human Research Protection Office (specific to consent guidance)
Melissa Ratajeski is assistant director for data and publishing services in the Health Science Library System.