Data Management Plans

Research involving human subjects data that are stored electronically are subject to the UNC Data Security Plan for Human Subject Research. For general information regarding human subject research, to to the IRB webpage.

The National Science Foundation's Grant Proposal Guide (GPG) instructs applicants to include a two-page supplementary document describing how the proposed project will conform to NSF's Policy on Dissemination and Sharing of Research Results. This requirement was added in a 2010 revision of the GPC, and applied to proposals submitted after January 17, 2011. Prior to that, grantees were expected to comply with the long-standing data policy, but there was no specific guidance for addressing data management and sharing in grant proposals.

The Data Management Plan (DMP) is now an integral part of an NSF proposal and is reviewed under the intellectual merit or broader impact criterion, or both, as is most appropriate. NSF has provided a FAQ that answers some of the questions you may have about what is required, such as what data has to be shared before analysis on them are completed.

The Grant Proposal Guide provides general guidance, suggesting that plans address:

• The types of data, samples, physical collections, software, curriculum materials, and other materials to be produced on 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 provision for re-use, re-distribution, and the production of derivatives;
• Plans for archiving data, samples and other research products, and for preservation of access to them

To address varying descriptions of data, its standards and its management and use among different scientific communities, NSF directorates and some divisions have released detailed, relevant guidance. Additionally, some program solicitations (RFPs) may contain their own specific requirements.

To determine which guidelines should be used when developing a Data Management Plan:

If you are unsure what to include in your plan, you may want to contact a program officer to discuss the requirements.