NSF Data Management and Sharing Plan: NSF Directorates' Guidance

BIO supports research and education on the principles and mechanisms governing life-- from cells to ecosystems and across space and time. 

BIO DMSP guidance is made available here.

Divisions of BIO:

• Biological Infrastructure (DBI)
• Environmental Biology (DEB)
• Emerging Frontiers (EF)
• Integrative Organismal Systems (IOS)
• Molecular and Cellular Biosciences (MCB)

• Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure (OAC)
• Computing and Communication Foundations (CCF)
• Computer and Network Systems (CNS)
• Information and Intelligent Systems (IIS)

Invests in engineering research and education and the development of innovations to benefit society.

ENG DMSP guidance is made available here.

Divisions:

• Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental and Transport Systems (CBET)
• Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation (CMMI)
• Electrical, Communications and Cyber Systems (ECCS)
• Engineering Education and Centers (ECC)
• Emerging Frontiers and Multidisciplinary Activities (EFMA)

Supports research and education on understanding and adapting to the changes in the earth, ocean, atmosphere and polar regions.

GEO Data Management and Sharing Guidance can be found here.

GEO has additional resources linked for specific divisions, which can be found on the GEO DMSP guidance page. They are also linked below the respective divisions.

Divisions:

• Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences (AGS)
• Earth Sciences (EAR)
• Ocean Sciences (OCE)
• Office of Polar Programs (OPP)
• Research, Innovation, Synergies and Education (RISE)

​​​Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences (AGS)

AGS refers principal investigators to the PAPPG.

Researchers from the paleoclimate community are encouraged to upload project DMSPs using a fillable document.

Earth Sciences (EAR)

EAR requires that all data and sample metadata underlying peer-reviewed scholarly publications resulting from EAR support must now be made publicly accessible at or before the time of publication and no later than two years after completion of data collection or generation via appropriate long-lived FAIR-aligned repositories. 

• Dear Colleague Letter: Update to the Division of Earth Sciences (EAR) Data and Sample Policy (NSF 23-131): Announces the release of new guidance for EAR awards.
• EAR Data Management and Sharing Plan Guidance: Includes guidance and resources published in July 2023, as well as archived guidance from 2018 and 2017.

Ocean Sciences (OCE)

OCE requires that metadata files full data sets, derived products and physical collections, must be made publicly accessible upon publication or within two years of collection whichever comes first. 

• Division of Ocean Sciences (OCE) Sample and Data Policy (NSF 24-124): OCE guidance published September 2024. OCE also offers additional information on data repositories. 
• Previous OCE guidance: NSF 17-037 and NSF 11-060.

Office of Polar Programs (OPP)

OPP released a Dear Colleague Letter in 2022 with recommendations and requirements to advance open polar data to maximize the benefit of NSF's investments in research, facilitate transparency and replicability in polar science and increase the impact of polar research.

OPP also maintains a list of data repositories and resources.

Research, Innovation, Synergies and Education (RISE)

RISE refers principal investigators to the PAPPG. 

Advances human understanding of the fundamental nature of the universe at all scales through investments in basic science, world-class research facilities and infrastructure, and a broad range of training and mentorship opportunities across the U.S.

Each MPS division has specific advice for PIs when writing a DMSP. Each guide is linked under the respective division. 

Divisions:

• Astronomical Sciences (AST)
  • Division of Astronomical Sciences (AST) (PDF)
• Chemistry (CHE)
  • Division of Chemistry (CHE) (PDF)
• Materials Research (DMR)
  • Division of Materials Research (DMR) (PDF)
  • DMR Template (PDF)
• Mathematical Sciences (DMS)
  • Division of Mathematical Sciences (DMS) (PDF)
• Physics (PHY)
  • Division of Physics (PHY) (PDF)
• Office of Strategic Initiatives (OSI)

Advances research and education on human behavior and social organizations and how social, economic, political, cultural and environmental forces affect people's lives.

SBE DMSP guidance is made available here.

Divisions:

• Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences (BCS)
• Social and Economic Sciences (SES)
• Multidisciplinary Activities (SMA)
• National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES)

Invests in education and education research in STEM — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — across age groups and settings.

EDU DSMP guidance is made available here.

Divisions:

• Equity for Excellence in STEM (EES)
• Graduate Education (DGE)
• Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings (DRL)
• Undergraduate Education (DUE)

NSF DMSP guidance is made available here.

Generally, DMSPs contain:

• Description of data types and formats 
• Metadata and associated documentation 
• Data that will be shared and rationale for doing so 
• Research methods 
• Standards used 
• Software, tools, code 
• Storage and preservation 
• Privacy restrictions 
• Roles and oversight of data management and sharing