Office of Sponsored Research
Data Management Plan
The official NSF statement for the requirement of a DMP and the 5 parts types of information required
http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/policydocs/pappguide/nsf11001/gpg_2.jsp#dmp
Plans for data management and sharing of the products of research. Proposals must include a supplementary document of no more than two pages labeled “Data Management Plan”. This supplement should describe how the proposal will conform to NSF policy on the dissemination and sharing of research results (see AAG Chapter VI.D.4), and may include:
- the types of data, samples, physical collections, software, curriculum materials, and other materials to be produced in the course of the project;
- the standards to be used for data and metadata format and content (where existing standards are absent or deemed inadequate, this should be documented along with any proposed solutions or remedies);
- policies for access and sharing including provisions for appropriate protection of privacy, confidentiality, security, intellectual property, or other rights or requirements;
- policies and provisions for re-use, re-distribution, and the production of derivatives; and
- plans for archiving data, samples, and other research products, and for preservation of access to them.
Simultaneously submitted collaborative proposals and proposals that include subawards are a single unified project and should include only one supplemental combined Data Management Plan, regardless of the number of non-lead collaborative proposals or subawards included. Fastlane will not permit submission of a proposal that is missing a Data Management Plan. Proposals for supplementary support to an existing award are not required to include a Data Management Plan.
A valid Data Management Plan may include only the statement that no detailed plan is needed, as long as the statement is accompanied by a clear justification. Proposers who feel that the plan cannot fit within the supplement limit of two pages may use part of the 15-page Project Description for additional data management information. Proposers are advised that the Data Management Plan may not be used to circumvent the 15-page Project Description limitation. The Data Management Plan will be reviewed as an integral part of the proposal, coming under Intellectual Merit or Broader Impacts or both, as appropriate for the scientific community of relevance.
Sample DMPs
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Sample 1 |
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Sample 2 |
Requirements by Directorate, Office, Division, Program, or other NSF Unit
Links to data management requirements and plans relevant to specific Directorates, Offices, Divisions, Programs, or other NSF units, are provided below. If guidance specific to the program is not provided, then the requirements established in Grant Proposal Guide, Chapter II.C.2.j apply.
Please note that if a specific program solicitation provides guidance on preparation of data management plans, such guidance must be followed.
Engineering Directorate (ENG)
Geological Sciences Directorate (GEO)
Mathematical and Physical Sciences Directorate (MPS)
- Division of Astronomical Sciences
- Division of Chemistry
- Division of Materials Research
- Division of Mathematical Sciences
- Division of Physics
Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences Directorate (SBE)
Data Management & Sharing Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - updated November 30, 2010
Back-up Options
It is critical to keep reliable backups. Your computer, external hard drives, departmental or university servers are some of the tools available for backing up data. Whatever back-up system you choose, make sure you test it upon the initial setup and then regularly thereafter. Having more than one backup in different locations is recommended. Below is a short list of Cloud storage options. UT Tyler does not endorse any product on the list nor is this list complete:
- Amazon S3
- S3-based Remote hard Services such as Elephant Drive and Jungle Disk
- EMC's Mozy free client software
- Carbonite Free client software
- ICPSR