Other Proposal Components

Data Management and Sharing Plans (DMSPs)

• NIH Data Management and Sharing Plan Format Page. - For NIH due dates on or after May 25, 2026, the 2026 DMS Plan format is required.
  • The new 2026 DMS Plan format is based on a simplified set of required elements to use when preparing Data Management and Sharing (DMS) Plans (NOT-OD-26-046). The revised elements, many of which are straightforward yes or no questions rather than narratives, limit the information included in the DMS Plans, increase efficiency, and minimize applicant burden.  The NIH DMS policy that went into effect in 2023 has not changed. NIH has simply adjusted their implementation of required DMS Plans and their approach to compliance to clarify common areas of confusion and reflect lessons learned since the 2023 rollout. The NIH is implementing this updated format as a pilot and will evaluate the need for additional updates over the next year.
  • The NIH's Writing a Data Management and Sharing Plan page now reflects the new elements and provides helpful tips for preparing DMS plans.
  • NIH DMS Plan FAQs and other resources will be added to the NIH's Data Management and Sharing Plan Format Page as they become available.
  • Implementation Timeline:
    • Competing applications submitted on or after May 25, 2026: New format required
    • Competing applications submitted prior to May 25, 2026 (and not yet awarded): Use updated format during JIT
    • Active awards subject to the DMS Policy: Use updated format at the next RPPR

• NSF Data Management and Sharing Plans - Note: Effective April 27, 2026, NSF DMSPs are collected through a webform that is built directly into Research.gov. ​

Other Proposal Components

• NSF Plans for Safe and Inclusive/Harassment-free Working Environments for Off-Campus Research - Effective for all NSF proposals submitted or due on or after January 30, 2023 that propose to conduct research off-campus
• NSF Collaborators and Other Affiliations (COA) Template (.xlsx)
• NSF Mentoring Plan Sample Template (.doc) - Effective for all NSF proposals submitted or due on or after May 20, 2024 a Mentoring Plan is required for any proposal that requests funding to support postdoctoral scholars or graduate students. In no more than one page, the mentoring plan must describe the mentoring that will be provided to all postdoctoral scholars or graduate students supported by the project, regardless of whether they reside at the submitting organization, any subrecipient organization, or at any organization participating in a simultaneously submitted collaborative proposal. Please note that separate plans are not required for postdoctoral scholars or graduate students. The plan may, however, specify how different components of the mentoring program will be enacted for the two types of researchers.

Stanford Research Development Office - Proposal Section-Specific Guidance

• The Stanford Research Development Office (RDO) is a unit under VPDoR that aims to strengthen collaborative or strategic research, scholarship, and creative activities by helping to set PIs up for sponsored research funding success through project-opportunity alignment, early preparation, and proposal development support.  The RDO has composed and curated resources to assist in preparing content for some commonly required proposal sections.