Officials from the National Science Foundation (NSF) have announced a new policy designed to increase data sharing among researchers whose work is funded by agency.

By October, 2010, NSF is planning to require that all grant proposals include a data management plan in the form of a two-page supplementary document. The changes are designed to address trends and needs in the modern era of data-driven science, officials say.

The new policy would require grantees to share their data within a reasonable length of time, so long as the cost is modest.

"Science is becoming data-intensive and collaborative," noted Ed Seidel, acting assistant director for NSF's Mathematical and Physical Sciences directorate. "Researchers from numerous disciplines need to work together to attack complex problems; openly sharing data will pave the way for researchers to communicate and collaborate more effectively."

Seidel acknowledged that each discipline has its own culture about data-sharing, and said that NSF wants to avoid a one-size-fits-all approach to the issue. But for all disciplines, the data management plans will be subject to peer review, and the new approach will allow flexibility at the directorate and division levels to tailor implementation as appropriate.

"The change reflects a move to the Digital Age, where scientific breakthroughs will be powered by advanced computing techniques that help researchers explore and mine datasets," said Jeannette Wing, assistant director for NSF's Computer&Information Science&Engineering directorate. "Digital data are both the products of research and the foundation for new scientific insights and discoveries that drive innovation."

NSF has a variety of initiatives focused on advancing the vision of data-intensive science. The issue is central to NSF's Sustainable Digital Data Preservation and Access Network Partners (DataNet) program in the Office of Cyberinfrastructure.

"Twenty-first century scientific inquiry will depend in large part on data exploration," said José Muñoz, acting director of the Office of Cyberinfrastructure. "It is imperative that data be made not only as widely available as possible but also accessible to the broad scientific communities."

Seidel noted that requiring the data management plans was consistent with NSF's mission and with the growing interest from U.S. policymakers in making sure that any data obtained with federal funds be accessible to the general public. Along with other federal agencies, NSF is subject to the Open Government Directive, an effort of the Obama administration to make government more transparent and more participatory.