The Committee on Large Database Sharing of the NIH Board of Scientific Directors has reviewed the NIH Draft Statement on Sharing Research Data <http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-02-035.html>. We feel the general principles outlined in the statement are applicable to scientists in the NIH intramural research program involved in the collection and analysis of large-scale databases. The appropriateness of data sharing and the mechanisms involved in sharing and archiving data will be considered when the relevant projects are reviewed by the Board of Scientific Counselors and other advisory bodies at the NIH institute or center level.