NIH launches new scientific data sharing website
May / June 2022 | Volume 21 Number 3
In October of 2020,
NIH announced its new Policy for Data Management and Sharing, the first new policy since 2003. Starting January 25, 2023, NIH will require all applicants to include a plan for data management in their grant applications.
In support of this policy, NIH's Office of Extramural Research (OER) launched a new
NIH Scientific Data Sharing website in April of 2022 that includes content on data sharing, genomic data sharing, and related policies. The public-facing site provides a single interface for information on all NIH sharing policies and showcases data sharing-related resources across NIH.
As NIH moves to build a more efficient and equitable research environment, it is critical that data from NIH-funded research is easily accessible. NIH's commitment to making the research it funds available to the public can be seen through various data-sharing policies that increase the transparency and availability of scientific data and resources. Data sharing expedites the translation of research results into knowledge, products, procedures and, ultimately, the improvement of human health. As the policy states: “Sharing scientific data accelerates biomedical research discovery, in part, by enabling validation of research results, providing accessibility to high-value datasets, and promoting data reuse for future research studies. As a steward of the nation's investment in biomedical research, NIH has long championed policies that make research available to the public to achieve these goals."
This new policy, which applies to research funded or conducted by NIH that results in the generation of scientific data, requires that applicants include data management and sharing plans in their proposals and funding applications. These plans must be approved by the funding NIH institute, office, or center prior to the approval of funding. It also emphasizes the importance of good data management practices and establishes the expectation for maximizing the appropriate sharing of scientific data generated from NIH-funded or conducted research.
The website provides step-by-step guides, infographics, tools, and resources to help grantees understand which policies apply to them and how to comply with them. The site covers how these policies affect clinical trials, model organisms, scientific data, genomic data, research tools, and research publications.
In preparation for the 2023 implementation of the new NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy, new resources are being added to the site such as guidance on protecting data and tips for taking data sharing into consideration when developing a budget. The site will regularly feature new and existing resources, events, and tools from across NIH, so users are encouraged to check back regularly.
Webinar Series
NIH's Office of Extramural Research is hosting a two-part webinar series on the Implementation of the New NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy, to discuss details of the new policy and answer questions. Registration is required and recordings will be posted on the site.
- The first session on Thursday, August 11, is focused on understanding the new policy.
- The second session on Thursday, September 8, will be a deeper-dive into the policy.
OER is also posting
regular updates on their
Extramural Nexus blog about the data sharing policy covering everything from consent language to common data elements.
Questions
For questions about the new Data Management and Sharing Policy or issues with the new website, please visit the
NIH Scientific Data Sharing contacts page.
More Resources
Updated June 15, 2022
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