NIH Data Management & Sharing (DMS) Resources

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Data Management and Sharing (DMS) Policy requires researchers to plan for the management and sharing of scientific data generated from NIH-funded research. The resources below provide guidance on developing a DMS plan, budgeting for data management, selecting repositories and addressing privacy and data-sharing considerations.

1.NIH DMS Policy

NIH Data Management & Sharing Policy – Central Resource
The NIH’s central DMS resource provides the most current guidance and requirements, including:

• Overview of the DMS Policy.
• Current DMS Plan format.
• Examples of justifiable factors for limiting scientific data sharing.
• Budgeting for data management and sharing.
• Data management best practices.
• Guidance on selecting data repositories.
• Privacy considerations for human research participants.

2. Developing Your DMS Plan

Resources to help you create a compliant and comprehensive DMS plan:

NIH DMS Plan Format – Current NIH format and instructions
NIH DMS Plan Webinar – Part I and Part II (older webinar; useful for background and examples)
DMPTool -BU is a partner institution. DMPTool provides guidance for creating data management plans that meet funder requirements and offers options for collaborating with colleagues and sharing plans.

3. Managing and Sharing Your Data

Resources for implementing your DMS plan:

NIH Best Practices for Data Management
NIH Guidance on Data Repositories
NIH-Supported Repository Search Tool Helps researchers identify repositories appropriate for their data.
National Library of Medicine Data Management & Sharing Toolkit Resources particularly useful for data librarians and research support staff.

4. Human Participant Data & Privacy

Resources addressing the responsible sharing of data involving human research participants:

• NIH guidance on protecting participant privacy
  • Information about factors that may justify limiting scientific data sharing
  • Guidance on de-identification, access controls, and appropriate repositories

5. BU Resources

BU Resources for NIH Data Management & Sharing

Boston University’s Office of Research maintains a central collection of resources available to BU faculty and staff, including guidance and institutional information related to NIH DMS requirements.

6. Quick Links

| Understand the NIH DMS Policy | NIH DMS Policy |
| Create a DMS plan | NIH DMS Plan Format / DMPTool |
| Find a data repository | NIH Repository Guidance / Repository Search Tool |
| Determine whether data sharing can be limited | NIH Justifiable Factors Guidance |
| Budget for data management and sharing | NIH Budgeting Guidance |
| Learn about human participant privacy | NIH Privacy Guidance |
| Find BU-specific resources | BU Office of Research |
| Find resources for data librarians | NLM Toolkit |

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