Research Data Management

National Endowment for the Humanities Office of Digital Humanities requires that grant applications include a "Data Management Plan" of no more than two pages. Below is a summary of the components of the document that should be described. 

Contents of the NEH Data Management Plan 

The DMP should clearly articulate how sharing of primary data is to be implemented. It should outline the rights and obligations of all parties with respect to their roles and responsibilities in the management and retention of research data. It should also consider changes to roles and responsibilities that will occur if a project director or co-project director leaves the institution or project.

• Expected data; describe the types of data, samples, physical collections, software, curriculum materials, or other materials to be produced in the course of the project. It should then describe the expected types of data to be retained.
• Period of data retention; In their DMP applicants should address how timely access will be assured.
• Data formats and dissemination; describe data formats, media, and dissemination approaches that will be used to make data and metadata available to others. Policies for public access and sharing should be described, including provisions for appropriate protection of privacy, confidentiality, security, intellectual property, and other rights or requirements. 
• Data storage and preservation of access; describe physical and cyber resources and facilities that will be used to effectively preserve and store research data. These can include third-party facilities and repositories.

The DMPTool is an online resource to help researchers write data management plans for their research. Create an account on the DMPTool website and select "NEH" from the template drop-down menu to begin creating your NEH data management plan. 

Data repositories accepting research data from the humanities for long term preservation and access: