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Research Data Management: Data Management Planning

What is a Data Management Plan?

Research data lifecycle diagram ©Jisc and Bonner McHardy CC-BY-NC-NDA Data Management Plan (DMP) outlines how data is to be managed during a research project, and after the project is completed.  Many funders require a data management plan, either as part of the application process or once a grant has been awarded. 

It is good practice to create a DMP for any research project.

Writing a Data Management Plan / Statement for a Funder

Download our Guide to Funder DMP requirements, to see at a glance how different funders want you to include data management planning in your applications, and where to get further guidance.

Tools and resources for Data Management Planning

DMP Online: A free web-based tool developed by the Digital Curation Centre to help you write data management plans.  If you are writing a DMP for a funder, it includes data management plan templates for various funders.  

DCC Data Management Plan template: A helpful generic template to use, if no specific funder template applies.  It can also be used as a more detailed working document, in addition to any data planning statements required by funders.

Questions usually included in Data Management Plans

Why produce a Data Management Plan?

Data Management Planning helps you to:

  • Save time and effort by planning up front and considering what data will be created and how
  • Know what systems and support you will need
  • Check that resources are available, and are costed into bids
  • Make sound decisions, bearing in mind the wider context and consequences of different options
  • Identify and resolve potential difficulties before the project starts
  • Meet funder requirements both for the production of Data Management Plans, and also for the management and sharing of data.
  • Meet publisher requirements for making underpinning data openly available
  • Ensure you can take advantage of the benefits of sharing data

Support for Data Management Planning

For Staff Only:

Completing a Data Management Plan as part of an external research funding application?

We can check and advise on your draft plan.

Please contact researchdataman@dmu.ac.uk, giving as much notice as possible.

DMU Policy

Policy on Managing Research Data at DMU 

"All new research proposals for external funding must include research data management plans or protocols (DMPs) in line with the relevant funders’ policies"

DMU RDM Training

DMU offers the following as part of the Researcher Development Programme:

  • Introduction to Research Data Management (for staff and PhD students)
  • Winning Funding with Data Management Planning (for staff only)

You can sign up for these via Resjourney

In addition, we recommend this web-based Research Data Management Course:

Click to go to the DMU Research Data Management Course