NIH Request for Information (RFI): Strategies for NIH Data Management, Sharing, and Citation

Introduction

This Request for Information (RFI) seeks public comments on data management and sharing strategies and priorities in order to consider: (1) how digital scientific data generated from NIH-funded research should be managed, and to the fullest extent possible, made publicly available; and, (2) how to set standards for citing shared data and software.

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Background

NIH has maintained the principle that “data sharing is essential for expedited translation of research results into knowledge, products, and procedures to improve human health.”[1] The agency has a long history and continued commitment to ensure that, to the fullest extent possible, the results of federally-funded scientific research are made available to and are useful for the general public, industry, and the scientific community (https://grants.nih.gov/policy/sharing.htm). Further, effective data sharing relies upon appropriate identification, adoption, and crediting of good data management and sharing practices, thus, NIH is adopting principles to make data “FAIR” (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable; http://www.nature.com/articles/sdata201618).

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Feedback obtained through this RFI is intended to be used to inform the development of NIH policies pertaining to the management and sharing of digital scientific data generated from NIH-supported research, including how these data and software should be cited, and other applicable NIH activities. Additionally, to support the long-term preservation of data and sustainability of repositories holding such data, NIH released the related “Request for Information (RFI): Metrics to Assess Value of Biomedical Digital Repositories” (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-16-133.html).

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