Overview:
This NIH prize challenge aims to incentivize development of a new metric for researchers to reward data sharing, driving a culture of openness in science and helping to advance research. The total prize pool is $1million with a first place prize of $500,000.
Background:
This challenge is inspired by the h-index, which was developed by J.E. Hirsch in 2005 to evaluate research performance based on the impact and number of publications rather than the journal prestige or authorship order. Its simplicity, inclusivity, and ease of calculation led to the widespread adoption and integration into databases like Scopus, Web of Science (WoS), and Google Scholar. The idea for a data sharing S-index draws on the key factors contributing to the h-index’s success – simplicity, early adoption, education, and accessibility – while striving to incentivize and reward effective data sharing.
Key Considerations:
- Ideal solutions should not only encourage data sharing, but the sharing of high-quality data (well-described, well-documented, easily navigable for reproduction of findings—see the FAIR principles of data sharing)
- Solutions should reward high-quality data sharing, irrespective of whether the data are used to support scholarly publications
- Any US citizen can apply, including researchers, healthcare professions, data scientists, informaticians, and anyone interested in expanding data sharing in research (see eligibility requirements).
- For additional challenge information and registration, visit https://www.freelancer.com/contest/NIH-Data-Sharing-Index-Sindex-Challenge-2470942/details
Project Timeline:
Phase 1: Proof of Concept
Participants will engage in brainstorming and idea generation, culminating in the submission of a Proof-of-Concept proposal. These proposals will compete in the first round, with up to 6 finalists selected to advance to Phase 2. In addition, up to 4 honorable mentions will be awarded, but will not be eligible for Phase 2.
Phase 2: Refinement and Implementation
Finalists from Phase 1 will compete for the Grand Prize(s) by submitting a comprehensive proposal addressing specific criteria. This phase will determine the preferred S-metric at the NIH S-index Innovation Event.
Timeline:
· Mandatory Registration (intent to participate) Due: April 11, 2025
· Phase 1 Submission Period Opens: April 21, 2025
· Phase 1 Submission Deadline: June 2, 2025
· Phase 1 Technical & Federal Judging: July 7 – August 15, 2025
· Phase 1 Announcement of Finalists: September 16, 2025
· Phase 2 Submission Period Opens: September 17, 2025
· Phase 2 Submission Deadline: February 13, 2026
· Phase 2 Technical & Federal Judging: March 2 -April 10, 2026
· Announce Winner(s): July 2026
Desired outcome of the solution:
The S-index Challenge aims to advance the NIH mission by actively promoting data sharing and developing a robust metric to reward exemplary data sharers. Additionally, this effort could result in the creation of multiple S-index metrics, enabling and help evaluate the metrics across different data domains.
