Data Management Plan

Successful management and protection of information and data are critical to the administrative, clinical, educational, and research functions of West Virginia University (WVU). The sharing of research data at the preliminary phase of the proposed research project, as well as the sharing of collected research data after publication or with the sponsor, are situations that require effective data management planning. In addition, many Federal funding agencies, such as the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health, now require researchers to supply detailed, cost-effective plans for managing research data, called Data Management Plans (DMP).

At WVU, collected research data, by definition, practice, and intent, is an invaluable asset. This suggested practice guide (SPG) establishes recommendations for the management, as well as the responsibilities for the protection, of the collected research data generated by all members of the WVU research community. The information contained within this SPG refers to all collected research data, whether verbal, printed, or electronic, and whether individually controlled, shared, stand alone, or networked.

• WVU DMP Guide

Creating Your Data Management Plan

The suggested process regarding data management is for all members of the West Virginia University (WVU) research community to have a data management plan (DMP) in place at the start of every externally-funded research project. All DMPs should comply with any applicable sponsor-specific requirements. If research data will not be generated during the life of a sponsored project, please indicate this in your DMP.

Currently, the DMP Tool offers templates for many of the sponsors that now require a DMP as a part of a sponsored project application.

To start using the DMP Tool, click on the Get Started button on the Home page. You will be directed to create an account. Once you've set up an account, select My Plans from the navigation bar to begin a data management plan. Currently, we are beginning the process of becoming a DMP Tool partner organization and the aforementioned process may change in the future.

Generic Data Management Template

If the sponsor for your specific funding opportunity is not listed on the DMP Tool website, then please download this generic Data Management template to create your DMP document.

Once you have completed each section and provided answers to all key questions, convert the above document to a PDF file and attach it to your proposal under the “Supplemental Documents” tab.