Subject Guides: Data Management &amp; Sharing: Create a Data Management Plan

What is a Data Management Plan?

A data management plan (DMP) is a document which outlines how a researcher plans to work with their data both during and after a research project. Data management plans will help to ensure that data is easier to find, use, analyze, share, and reuse. Many federal funding agencies, including NIH and NSF, are requiring that grant applications contain data management plans for projects involving data collection.

NIH Data Sharing Requirements

NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy
This NIH-created website provides an overview of the NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy (effective 2023), best practices for managing and sharing data, and resources for planning and budgeting.
NIH Genomic Data Sharing Policy
This NIH-created website provides an overview of the NIH Genomic Data Sharing Policy and its requirements.
FSU's NIH Data Management and Sharing Resources
The FSU Office of Research has created a website about the NIH Data Sharing Policy (effective Jan 2023). This website links to FSU-specific resources as well as general data management recommendations.

Attribution: F1000, Diagram illustrating points around data in the research lifecycle (2022).

Data Management Templates and Tools

DMPTool
This data management planning tool consists of templates to help researchers easily create data management plans to satisfy many grant funding agencies’ data requirements.

Writing a Data Management & Sharing Plan
NIH outlines their recommended elements of a data management and sharing plan.
Data Management and Sharing Plan Checklist for Researchers
This checklist created by the NIH DMSP Guidance Working Group addresses the six required elements in the NIH policy.
Extended Reference Guide on NIH DMSP
The Extended Reference Guide was created for use in conjunction with the DMSP Checklist for Researchers. It is lengthier document that provides additional context for the requirements in the checklist.
Draft Data Management and Sharing Plan Template
The NIH released this preview of the DMSP format and plans to provide a final fillable format version soon.
NIH Sample Data Management Plans
The NIH has provided sample DMPs that are consistent with the expectations in both the NIMH and NIH Notices. These include examples from clinical, human and non-human genetics, and secondary use DMPs.
Example DMS Plans
This example DMP directory was compiled from researchers, institutions, libraries and workgroups who shared their data management plans online from 2012-2022. It is intended to help researchers comply with the new NIH policy and will not be updated after publishing.