Data Sharing for Demographic Research Infrastructure Program

This initiative will continue supporting a repository for datasets produced through support from the Population Dynamics Branch (PDB) and other components of NICHD’s Division of Extramural Research. DSDR is widely used by NICHD grantees; complies with NIH data sharing requirements; is listed in the NLM Open Domain-Specific Data Sharing Repositories; and holds more than 3,000 datasets containing over 1.5 million variables. It provides archiving, curation, and dissemination services that are not available through other repositories used by NICHD-funded researchers, such as the NICHD Data and Specimen Hub (DASH), and offers data archiving and dissemination services beyond the those required by NIH data sharing policy. This repository houses unique data from qualitative studies, unstructured data sources, and studies of sensitive topics. The grantee will be expected to provide resources to researchers on best practices for archiving data, including information about sharing qualitative and other sensitive data. Annually, DSDR will be required to process 20-40 new and updated datasets; disseminate 135 datasets and their documentation; review and oversee 30 data use agreements; facilitate 700,000 or more downloads of data, documentation, and other resources; maintain a guide to NICHD PDB archived data including data archived elsewhere; and provide technical assistance to 1,500-2,000 users.

Other Eligible ApplicantsIndian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized);Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government;U.S. Territory or Possession;Faith-based or Community-based Organizations;Regional Organizations;Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions).

The major elements in evaluating proposals include assessments of the significance of the proposed research; approach; innovation; investigators; and environment. The following criteria will be used in considering the scientific and technical merit of SBIR/STTR Phase I grant applications: (1) The soundness and technical merit of the proposed approach; (2) the qualifications of the proposed principal investigator, supporting staff, and consultants; (3) the technological innovation of the proposed research; (4) the potential of the proposed research for commercial application; (5) the appropriateness of the budget requested; (6) the adequacy and suitability of the facilities and research environment; and (7) where applicable, the adequacy of assurances detailing the proposed means for (a) safeguarding human or animal subjects, and/or (b) protecting against or minimizing any adverse effect on the environment. Phase II grant applications will be reviewed based upon the following criteria: (1) The degree to which the Phase I objectives were met and feasibility demonstrated; (2) the scientific and technical merit of the proposed approach for achieving the Phase II objectives; (3) the qualifications of the proposed principal investigator, supporting staff, and consultants; (4) the technological innovation originality, or societal importance of the proposed research; (5) the potential of the proposed research for commercial application; (6) the reasonableness of the budget...

Fiscal year 2025: The following is a tiny sample of fiscal year 2025 NICHD funded grants within the discretionary award class type. 1) Understanding the role of early life social determinants and sex-specific pubertal pathways in the development of adolescent chronic pain. 2) Improving In Vitro Fertilization Success through Multiplexed Optical Metabolic Imaging. 3) Genetic Studies of Large Palindromes. 4) A Safe, Fast, and Cost-Effective System for Tissue Removal in Laparoscopic Hysterectomy and Other Minimally Invasive Surgery. The following is a tiny sample of fiscal year 2025 NICHD funded grants within the cooperative agreement award class type. 1) Study of Treatment and Reproductive outcomes. 2) Pediatric HIV/AIDS Cohort Study (PHACS): Research on Immune Aging, Sexual and Reproductive Health, and Perinatal Acquisition: Elucidating Relationships in HIV (RISE). 3) Pelvic Floor Disorders Network Data Coordinating Center. 4) NICHD Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units (MFMU) Network: Data Coordinating Center. Fiscal year 2026: The following is a tiny sample of fiscal year 2026 NICHD funded grants within the discretionary award class type. 1) Placental Proteins and Prematurity. 2) In...