Related Extramural SOP: Sharing Model Organisms
The NIH Model Organism Sharing Policy covers all projects that produce or may produce model organisms, regardless of the amount of the budget. Other NIH sharing policies such as the Genomic Data Sharing policy, 2003 Data Sharing Policy, and the Data Management and Sharing Policy pertain to data. To find out which policies apply to a research project, see Which Policies Apply to My Research?
Below is an actual plan from a principal investigator with [brackets] in place of identifying information. Use it to guide your writing as you comply with the model organism sharing policy.
You can also find sample model organism sharing plans on NIH’s Model Organism Sharing Policy webpage.
Contact your program officer at Contacting Program Officers and Grants Management Specialists for more information.
Sample Sharing Plan
As for our plan to share materials and our management of intellectual property, we will adhere to the NIH Grant Policy on Sharing of Unique Research Resources including the Sharing of Biomedical Research Resources Principles and Guidelines for Recipients of NIH Grants and Contracts (PDF) issued in December 1999.
All 'model organisms' generated by this project will be distributed freely or deposited into a repository/stock center making them available to the broader research community, either before or immediately after publication. Our lab has demonstrated its commitment to sharing by providing [service] over the past [number] years. If we assume responsibility for distributing the newly generated model organisms, we fill requests in a timely fashion. In addition, we will provide relevant protocols and published genetic and phenotypic data upon request.
Material transfers will be made with no more restrictive terms than in the Simple Letter Agreement (SLA) or the Uniform Biological Materials Transfer Agreement (UBMTA) and without reach through requirements. Should any intellectual property arise which requires a patent, we will ensure that the technology (materials and data) remains widely available to the research community in accordance with the NIH Principles and Guidelines document.