Skip to Main Content

Research Data Management

This guide provides information on how to better manage and share research data in any discipline.

Email this link:

NSF Data Management Plan

Overview

National Science Foundation (NSF) requires that grant applications include a supplementary document of no more than two pages labeled "Data Management Plan" (effective January 18, 2011). This document should describe how the proposal will conform to NSF policy on the dissemination and sharing of research results, and should include components describing:

  • Types of data (including samples, physical collections, software);
  • Metadata standards to be used;
  • Policies for access and sharing (including provisions for privacy/intellectual property);
  • Policies and provisions for re-use; and
  • Plans for archiving and preservation of access.

DMPTool - The Data Management Plan Tool allows researchers to:

  • view sample data management plans;
  • preview funder requirements;
  • view the latest changes to their plans;
  • create an editable document for submission to a funding agency, and
  • accommodate different versions as funding requirements change. 

Recommended documents from the UCI Office of Research that support submission of the NSF Data Management Plan include:

  1. Suggested Elements to Cover in a Data Management Plan
  2. Data Management Plan: Template with Suggested Content
  3. NSF Data Management Plan

See Grant Proposal Guide (GPG) Chapter II.C.2.j for full implementation information.

The UCI Libraries can assist grantees in developing their Data Management Plans. Send questions to the Data Curation Librarian, Wasila Dahdul (wdahdul@uci.edu).

Policies & Guidelines

Investigators are expected to share with other researchers, at no more than incremental cost and within a reasonable time, the primary data, samples, physical collections and other supporting materials created or gathered in the course of work under NSF grants. Grantees are expected to encourage and facilitate such sharing according to the requirements described in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG).

Requirements by Various NSF Units

Note that if a specific program solicitation provides guidance on preparation of data management plans, such guidance must be followed. Links to data management requirements and plans relevant to specific Directorates, Offices, Divisions, Programs, or other NSF units, are provided here. If guidance specific to the program is not provided, then the requirements established in Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) apply.