National Science Foundation Requirement

Since 2011, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has required Data Management and Sharing Plans (DMS Plans) for incoming grant applications. These DMS Plans are becoming an increasingly important part of NSF grant applications and are thoroughly reviewed. Read the full policy and requirements: Dissemination and Sharing of Research Results.

What is required?

Investigators are expected to share with other researchers, at no more than incremental cost, and within a reasonable time, the primary data, samples, physical collections, and other supporting materials created or gathered in the course of work under NSF grants.

  1. A two-page data management and sharing plan (DMS Plan) is required with the grant proposal
  2. Dataset(s) supporting funded research should be deposited in an appropriate data repository as described in the DMS Plan
     

What do I need to submit?

Each project proposal includes a data management and sharing plan (DMS Plan). The DMS Plan documents the decision process for preserving data for potential reuse and the cost of recreating the data. The DMS Plan will be reviewed as part of the proposal evaluation process, considered under Intellectual Merit or Broader Impacts or both (see criteria described in the Grant Proposal Guide III.A.2).
 

Write an NSF DMP

Content that may be included under the general NAF guidelines is as follows:

  1. The types of data, samples, physical collections, software, curriculum materials and other materials to be produced in the course of the project.
  2. The standards to be used for data and metadata format and content. In cases where existing standards are absent or deemed inadequate, this should be documented along with any proposed solutions or remedies.
  3. Policies for data access and sharing, including provisions for appropriate protection of privacy, confidentiality, security, intellectual property or other rights or requirements.
  4. Policies and provisions for data reuse, redistribution and the production of derivatives.
  5. Plans for archiving data, samples and other research products, and for preserving access to them.
     

Requirements by Directorate, Office, Division, Program, or other NSF Unit may provide more specific guidance.

To draft the plan itself, we recommend the DMP Tool (log in with HarvardKey) using the appropriate NSF template. Additional guidance for completing each section is available in DMP Tool. Find more information on DMP Tool.

Maintain Your Plan

Hopefully, your NSF grant application will be accepted, and you’ll be on your way to starting your research project! As you begin your work, you’ll want to periodically revisit your plan to ensure that it still fits your needs. Maintaining your DMS Plan will help you adhere to your commitments to the NSF and showcase your ability to manage your data in future grants.

Sample NSF Plans

Where can I get help?

NSF Resources

Harvard Resources