Proper data management and sharing is essential for improving rigor and reproducibility in scientific research data. Benefits of sharing scientific data include: expediting the translation of research results into knowledge, products and improvements to human health and the environment. Various federal agencies have implemented requirements at the proposal and award stage in order to promote the sharing of scientific data, samples, physical collections and other supporting materials.
NEW: NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy (effective 1/25/23)
NIH's new Policy for Data Management and Sharing goes into effect on January 25, 2023. This policy requires researchers to prospectively plan for how scientific data will be preserved and shared. Researchers will be required to submit a Data Management and Sharing Plan with each proposal and to implement the approved plan if funded. Plans should explain how scientific data will be managed and describe which scientific data and accompanying metadata will be shared in common repositories. It applies to all NIH-funded research that directly results in the generation of scientific data, regardless of funding level or mechanism. This expands upon NIH’s current data sharing requirement that applies to projects with $500,000 or more in direct costs in any single year.
An MSU workgroup comprised of individuals from various campus units has been convened to consider practices and promote resources to prepare for the new requirements. The group is currently focusing on helping MSU faculty meet these requirements. Faculty should begin considering how these requirements will impact their future projects and planning for associated costs related to data management and storage in their proposed budgets for any competing applications submitted to the NIH on or after January 25, 2023.
