This webpage provides information and resources to help you create a data management plan for the National Science Foundation or other funding agencies. Even if you are not seeking funding for your research, documenting a plan for your data is a best practice and will help your data comply with UO's policies and procedures for responsible data management.
How to Prepare a Plan
As of April 2026, NSF policy requires applicants to complete their Data Management and Sharing Plan on the Research.gov site—see screenshots of the DMSP tool on Research.gov.
Elements of the Plan
- Data or Research Product Category General Information
- Access Policies and Limitations
- Data Standards and Metadata
- Data or Research Product Provenance
- Public Archiving
- Timeline for Public Accessibility
- Data Availability
- Accountability
NOTE: Each NSF Directorate and some Divisions provide additional guidance for creating a plan that is appropriately tailored to various disciplines and subdisciplines. Find the unit-specific guidelines for data management planning on the NSF Public Access Initiative page.
A Living Document
Research is all about discovery, and the process of doing research sometimes requires you to shift gears and revise your intended path. Your plan is a living document that you may need to alter as the course of your research changes. Remember, any time your research plans change, you should review your plan to ensure that it still meets your needs.
Support from UO Libraries
If you would like assistance completing a DMP for a grant proposal, please reach out to UO Libraries Research Data Management staff to schedule a consultation. They are an excellent source of support to principal investigators needing to manage data.
- Research Data Management Best Practices: a library research guide with a wealth of information on file formats, backup and storage, sharing and archiving data, and other topics.
- Data Services: Resources and guidelines for data management are constantly changing. If you would like support and advice specific to your field or project, write to library staff to schedule a consultation.
- Training & Workshops: A list of all UO Library offerings, with links to research-related training & workshops.