NSF policy for data management and sharing plans

Policy in effect January 22, 2026, via Policy Notice.

NSF data sharing policy details vary by directorate, but they all require public access to scientific data in a timely manner.

The Research.gov tool referred to in the Data Management and Sharing Plan (DMSP) section of the Policy Notice will be released on April 27, 2026. Proposals submitted before that date should continue preparing the DSMP as a PDF upload.

  • Data should be public at time of publication. Exceptions (delays and limiting access) must be justified in the DMSP
  • Data should be shared according to existing standards whenever possible
  • Primary data, samples, physical collections, software, inventions, curriculum material, and other supporting materials should be shared as covered by the DMSP
  • Datasets should be deposited in repositories that assign a Persistent Identifier (PID), such as a DOI.
    •  if no PID has been assigned, an NSF-PAR ID will be accepted
  • Shared datasets must acknowledge NSF support and award number(s) in their metadata
  • Shared datasets should be reported in annual and final project reports in the Products section
  • The dataset’s DOI must be reported via NSF-PAR.
adapted from ISU Libraries NSF DMSP Guide.

Deeper Dive:

The Policy Notice takes precedence over PAPPG 24-1, and can be found here: Implementation of Policy Changes to Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) 24-1, Supplement 2.

  • Policy changes in the following sections will impact data sharing and the data management plan:
    1. Public Access to Research Products (Chapter XI.D.2.c)
    2. Dissemination and Sharing of Research Results (Chapter XI.D.4)
    3. Data Management and Sharing Plan (Chapter II.D.2.(i).(ii))