What does the NIH 2023 Data Management and Sharing Policy mean for you?

By Janice Hermer, Karalyn Ostler, Kevin Pardon, and Matthew Harp

A new National Institute of Health (NIH) Data Management and Sharing Policy goes into effect on January 25, 2023. The last policy was implemented in 2003, nearly twenty years ago! With this update, all NIH grant proposals or renewals submitted after January 25 that generate scientific data must include a data management and sharing plan compliant with the updated policy.

We have created a new NIH 2023 DMS guide detailing all the information you need to know about this policy and how it may affect your research.

What steps do I need to take?

1. Determine whether the NIH policy applies to you. If you are unsure whether NIH's new policy will apply to your research, check NIH's page about Research Covered Under the Data Management & Sharing Policy. 
2. Figure out your timeline. If you have an active NIH award going up for renewal with a receipt date of January 2023, or if you plan to submit an NIH proposal this year, developing a DMSP should be a high priority.
3. Read through ASU Library’s NIH DMS Policy guide to familiarize yourself with the changes and with the policy itself (including the supplements)
4. Familiarize yourself with the FAIR principles (Wilkinson et al., 2016). The FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable, reusable) data principles are the guiding principles the NIH has used in creating the new policy. 
5. Assess your project and data management practices relative to the policy, especially around documenting existing practices and developing new ones to address the increased emphasis on data sharing and administrative oversight.
6. Review data services at ASU (e.g., computing, storage, consulting) and assess whether they will meet your needs. Also, consider costs you may need to budget for, such as labor for data cleaning and documentation.

The ASU Library will continue to provide updates, events, and workshop information on topics related to conducting and sharing research. We invite conversation and value your feedback on what things impact you most so that we can navigate change and meet Arizona State University’s inclusive mission and vision for more equitable access to publicly funded research. 

ASU Library’s unit for Open Science and Scholarly Communication with the Office of Research Data Management has the research lifecycle work with you to meet and exceed funder policies and mandates.