Meeting NSF Data Policy Requirements

The National Science Foundation (NSF) provides a brief  Division of Ocean Sciences Data and Sample Policy (2004) which outlines their general data policy. This policy applies specifically to the NSF's Division of Ocean Sciences and other NSF programs' policies may differ.

All Principle Investigators receiving NSF Division of Ocean Sciences grant money are required to share their data. This should be done as soon as possible, but must be done no later than two years after the data is collected.

Data must be submitted to the appropriate National Data Center relevant to your area of research, and data are to be submitted according to formats and via the media designated by each national center (see list below). If no appropriate data center exists, Principle Investigators must develop an alternative means to share their data.

National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC)

• Data submission instructions 
• Long version of data submission guidelines

National Climatic Data Center (NCDC)

• NOAA Paleoclimatology data contribution
• Contributing dendrochronological data
• Contributing tree-ring fire event data
  

National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC)

• NOAA Paleoclimatology data contribution
• IHO Data Center for Digital Bathymetry data submission

National Snow & Ice Data Center (NSIDC)

• Data Submission

Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center (CDIAC) 

• Data Submission
• It is recommended to review this Best Practices document and then contact one of the CDIAC staff members to discuss further data submission plans.