Data Management @ UIC
Data Management and Sharing Plans (DMSP)
In August 2022, the Office of Science & Technology Policy (OSTP) issued a memorandum on Ensuring Free, Immediate, and Equitable Access to Federally Funded Research. As a result of the memo several federal agencies including NIH, NSF, DOE, etc. require a data management and sharing plan (DMSP) as part of a grant proposal.
A DMSP is a short (about 2 pages) part of your grant application which outlines how scientific data and any accompanying metadata will be managed and shared, taking into account any potential restrictions or limitations.
Specific DMSP requirements vary depending upon the funding agency for which you are submitting a proposal. Be sure to consult the agency’s requirements before submitting your DMSP.
Generally, most DMSPs are looking for:
- Description of data types and formats
- Metadata and associated documentation
- Data that will be shared and rationale for doing so
- Research methods
- Standards used
- Software, tools, code
- Storage and preservation
- Privacy restrictions
- Roles and oversight of data management and sharing
For more information on data management and sharing plans (NIH) visit our guide:
More on DMSPs
Other guides to data management planning:
- Elements of a data management and sharing plan (ICSPR)
- Data management general guidance (DMPTool)
- What's your data plan? (University of Wisconsin)
Metadata guides:
DMSPs for Grants
As you apply for grant funding to supplement or start a new research project, read the application requirements carefully; you may be required to submit a Data Management and Sharing Plan. This additional document—typically two pages or fewer—gives grant reviewers an understanding of how researchers plan to make the fruits of their project last as long as possible.
If you need assistance in drafting a data management and sharing plan, contact dmspsupport@uic.edu.
The following resources provide guidance for specific federal agency DMSP requirements:
Below are example documents for NSF and NIH DMSPs, respectively. These documents may not encompass additional requirements applicable to specific institutes, centers, or offices as stated in the funding opportunity. The templates below are generic requirements and researchers must ensure that their DMSP reflects any additional expectations.