What is Scientific Data?
Scientific Data is defined by the NIH as data commonly accepted in the scientific community as of sufficient quality to validate and replicate research findings, regardless of whether the data are used to support scholarly publications.
- Scientific data includes any data needed to validate and replicate research findings.
- Scientific data does not include laboratory notebooks, preliminary analyses, completed case report forms, drafts of scientific papers, plans for future research, peer reviews, communications with colleagues, or physical objects such as laboratory specimens.
Data Management & Sharing Policy, 2023
A Data Plan
Any research that will generate scientific data (see sidebar) requires a plan for Data Management and Sharing (DMS) to be included when submitting a new or competing proposal/renewal application for NIH research funding. This includes projects funded for most R-series, U-series, K-series career development awards, SBIR/STTR, and P-series research centers.
Many NIH institutes and centers have additional specific data sharing requirements, including stipulations for the use of NIH-supported data repositories. Read the policies here.
Webinar About DMS
Watch the NIH webinar to learn more about data management and sharing.
ADD LINK TO NIH DMS WEBINAR
FAQs About DMS
See the FAQ section on DMS.
ADD JUMP LINK TO MASTER FAQ
Need More Information?
Contact Katherine Kight for information about developing a DMS plan, NIH requirements, or the application and award processes.
Katherine E. Kight, PhD
Research Administrator
410.706.5149
kkight@som.umaryland.edu