The new policy announced by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) places a strong emphasis on the sharing of scientific data in an effort to expedite the translation of research results into knowledge, products, and procedures to improve human health. It will go into effect in January 2023.

The new guidelines apply to all awards that generate scientific data regardless of funding mechanism. This includes grants, subgrants, contracts, subcontracts, and other transaction authority agreements.

Under the new policy, scientific data should be made accessible as soon as possible, and no later than the time of an associated publication, or the end of the performance period, whichever comes first.

To read more about the policy, and review FAQs, visit the Division of Sponsored Programs' website.

University of Iowa partners including the Libraries, Division of Sponsored Programs, Human Subjects Office, and Information Security and Policy, have extensive experience in assisting researchers with grant proposals and research compliance, facilitating data management and sharing, and tracking the impacts of research. As the implementation date of the new NIH policy approaches, they plan to offer additional resources for campus, including training for groups and individuals.

If you have immediate questions, please contact lib-data@uiowa.edu or nih@uiowa.edu.