The document summarizes the progress and key discussions on the implementation of the NIH Data Management and Sharing (DMS) Policy six months after its rollout, as presented during a June 2023 meeting of the Council on Governmental Relations (COGR). The meeting, featuring speakers from leading research institutions and the NIH, highlighted the collaborative, community-based effort between institutions, NIH, the Federal Demonstration Partnership (FDP), and other stakeholders to streamline compliance and reduce administrative burden. Central to this is the FDP NIH DMS Pilot, launched in March 2023, which aims to create standardized DMS Plan templates—Alpha (prescriptive) and Bravo (flexible)—to simplify plan preparation and improve consistency across NIH institutes. Two pilot phases focus on template usability and the development of common cost principles for DMS compliance, with robust institutional involvement and mechanisms for feedback through roundtables and town halls.
Additionally, tools such as the DMPTool facilitate the adoption of these templates by providing institutions with customizable, funder-specific resources. Survey data presented at the meeting underscores significant financial impacts, with mid- to large-size research institutions facing compliance costs exceeding $1 million annually—posing particular challenges for smaller organizations and potentially influencing research participation and career choices in the field. There is a call for harmonization of federal data management policies, a shift towards principle-based regulation, and continued advocacy for sensible administrative requirements, all underscored by the imperative to support science and innovation in the United States.
