Data Science Resources: Data Management Plan (DMP)

DMP Tool is a free online application that helps researchers create data management plans.

It provides detailed guidance and walks a researcher through the process of generating a comprehensive plan tailored to their specific DMP requirements.

As part of their data-sharing policy, many federal funding agencies (such as NIH and NSF) also require grant applicants to include formal data management plans (DMPs) for projects involving data collection. These documents describe the data, as well as how they will be managed during the research process and made accessible in the future.

Here is an example of NSF requirements for a DMP. For more, view the list here.

Conditions or degree of detail can vary depending on the funding agency. Thus, when submitting a grant proposal, it is best to first investigate the specific requirements for your case.

However, DMPs typically answer the following questions:

1. What is the research data?

Description of its use, how it was collected/generated, the type of data, research context.

2. How will it be stored?

Metadata standards, file formats, naming conventions, back-up storage plans.

3. How will it be shared and made accessible?

Intellectual property rights, privacy/ethical considerations, re-use policies.

4. Where will it be preserved?

Repository/archive information, file types and compatibility, storage duration.