Data Management and Sharing Plans

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National Science Foundation (NSF)

Starting April 27, 2026, NSF will require grant proposals to include a Data Management Plan uploaded into the Research.gov using their DMSP tool. The details of this plan are updated in Policy Notice: Implementation of Policy Changes to Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) 24-1, Supplement 2. Some NSF units may have specific requirements for their data management plans. To help determine if this is true for the grant you're applying for, visit NSF's Data Management web page.

What should my NSF Data Management and Sharing Plan include?

The following information applies generally to NSF grants. Remember, your specific directorate, office, division, or program might have more specific requirements, and you should always check those as well.

Starting April 27, 2026, your NSF DMSP will be uploaded using the NSF tool in Research.gov. One plan should be submitted for each project (regardless of collaborations or subawards), and the data plan should discuss data issues relevant to the context of such collaborations.

It is possible your NSF project may not require a DMSP. A statement that no detailed plan is needed is permitted only if:

  • No data, samples, physical collections, software, curriculum materials or other materials are to be produced during the project.
  • The statement is accompanied by a clear justification.

DMSPs should conform to the NSF Policy on Dissemination and Sharing of Research Results. This policy is summarized by the following:

Publication of findings

Investigators should quickly prepare and submit all important research results for publication, with authorship accurately reflects contributions. Organizations must allow and support those who did the work to publish their findings unless the organization plans to publish them first.

Sharing data, samples, and materials

Investigators should share primary data and materials with other researchers at low cost and within a reasonable time, and organizations should help make this sharing possible. Sensitive information must be protected, and recipients may allow exceptions when needed to protect people, research validity, or collections; they can also request exceptions from the NSF Program Officer.

Sharing software and inventions

Investigators and organizations are encouraged to share software and inventions created under the award or otherwise make them widely available and usable.

Intellectual property rights

The right to maintain intellectual property rights does not reduce the responsibility to make research results, data, and collections available to the research community.

NSF’s role in implementing sharing policies

NSF program staff will apply these sharing and dissemination policies through proposal reviews, award negotiations, award conditions, and support that helps with data cleanup, documentation, and storage.

Award terms and conditions

Every NSF award includes a required article that puts these dissemination and sharing expectations into effect.

NSF continuation

Once again, it is important to note that different Directorates, offices, divisions, programs, and other NSF units may have requirements specific to their individual programs. You should always check your specific program requirements.

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