Directions: This template is provided by the DMP Tool for NIH-funded research. You can either download the Word Document attached at the bottom of this section or copy and paste the sample language organized by required element from the sections that follow.
The [bracketed, bolded, and italicized portions] of the template indicate fields where you must fill in information that is relevant to your research. You are encouraged to thoroughly read through the template, adjust it to your needs, and exclude any language that is irrelevant to your data.
If you need additional support, you can submit your data management and sharing plan for review or schedule a consultation with a data librarian. For help determining where to store your data, refer to this guide on selecting a data repository or reach out to a librarian.
NIH DMP Tool Sample Language
This project will produce [Data type, e.g., imaging, sequencing, experimental measurements] data generated/obtained from [Data modality, e.g., instrument, method, survey, experiment, data source]. Data will be collected from [insert number] of research participants/specimens/experiments, generating [insert number] datasets totaling approximately [amount of data] in size. The following data files will be used or produced during the project: [list input data files, intermediate files, and final, post-processed files]. Raw data will be transformed by [analysis, method], and the subsequent processed dataset used for statistical analysis. To protect research participant identities, [e.g., individual, aggregated, summarized] data will be made available for sharing.
If working with human subjects, consider adding:
Data collection will be performed at clinical sites in [location(s)] with [population(s) being studied; i.e., T2 diabetes].
NIH DMP Tool Sample Language
[Data type - Imaging data, survey data, etc.] data will be made available in [insert file format, csv, txt, dicom, etc.] format and will not require the use of specialized tools to be accessed or manipulated.
DMPTool fill-in-the-blank prompt: If specialized tools (open source or proprietary) are needed to access or manipulate the data:
[Data type - Imaging data, survey data, etc.] data will be made available in [insert format type] format, which requires the use of specialized tools, such as [include list of tools] to be accessed and manipulated.
These tools will be shared openly via [insert how they will be shared].
OR
These tools are fee-based, proprietary software. Alternative access to the data will be provided by [describe the strategy for other sites to see or work with the data. Potential strategies include committing to provide links to file viewers or exporting files to a nonproprietary format for limited use and reuse].
NIH DMP Tool Sample Language
Data will be stored in common and open formats, such as [insert format type] for our [insert data type (imaging, sequencing, experimental measurements, etc.)] data. The [insert information needed to make use of this data, such as the meaning of variable names, codes, information about missing data, other metadata, etc.] and references to the sources of those standardized names and metadata items will be included wherever applicable.
Addendum DMPTool fill-in-the-blank for if there are formal data standards for some or all of the data:
Whenever possible, we will use [common data elements, standardized survey instruments, etc.] to structure and organize our data.
Our [insert type of data] data will be structured and described using the [insert name of standards] standard, which has been widely adopted in the [fill in the name of the community/discipline] community. [Add additional information about this standard, if applicable - e.g., implementation in data repositories, utility in combining/reusing datasets].
Addendum DMPTool fill-in-the-blank for if there are no formal standards:
Formal standards for [add type of data] data have not yet been widely implemented. However, our data and other materials will be structured and described according to best practices, which are as follows: [list appropriate best practices].
NIH DMP Tool Sample Language
All dataset(s) that can be shared will be deposited in [Add appropriate NIH-supported data repositories] OR [Add appropriate discipline- or data-specific repository, or generalist repository].
NIH DMP Tool Sample Language
There are no anticipated factors or limitations that will affect the access, distribution, or reuse of the scientific data generated by the proposal.
OR
Due to [ethical/legal/technical considerations], [access/distribution/reuse] of the resulting scientific data will be limited and approved/monitored by [describe the approach to limiting access/distribution/reuse].
NIH DMP Tool Sample Language
Lead PI [insert name], ORCID: [ORCID ID], will be responsible for the day-to-day oversight of lab/team data management activities and data sharing. Broader issues of DMS plan compliance, oversight, and reporting will be handled by the PI and Co-I team as part of general [campus(es)] stewardship, reporting, and compliance processes.
