The following notice was sent to recent NSF applicants on April 30, 2026. The Research Data Service occasionally sends messages summarizing key updates to funders’ data policies. These messages do not cover all updates.
The Research Data Service is reaching out to let you know about new changes to NSF Data Management and Sharing Plans (DMSPs). This is in addition to our February NSF update about data sharing timelines and supporting materials.
NSF DMSPs must now be submitted through an online form. As of April 27, 2026, NSF is no longer accepting DMSPs as PDFs. All DMSPs must now be submitted via a web form that will allow you to select from common options and also supply additional information as needed.
When applying for an NSF grant, you will be directed to a DMSP form that fits the requirements for the primary directorate associated with the funding opportunity. Applicants will only be asked to complete one DMSP per application, even if the opportunity is associated with multiple directorates.
Visit research.gov to preview the new DMSP form but remember, depending on your directorate, this preview may not exactly match the DMSP required for your next grant application.
The Illinois Data Bank is still a great option for sharing open-access data from NSF-funded projects, even though it is not listed as one of the common Data Sharing Locations. Simply select “Add New” and list the Illinois Data Bank as an Institutional Repository.