How to Write a Research Data Management Plan (DMP)

A Data Management Plan is now required by most major funders. Learn what a DMP covers, from collection and storage to sharing and licensing, with a practical section-by-section template.

What a DMP is and why funders want one

A Data Management Plan (DMP) is a short, structured document that describes how you will collect, store, describe, share, and preserve the data produced by a research project. Most major funders now require a DMP as part of a grant application — not as bureaucratic box-ticking, but because planning data handling up front prevents lost files, legal headaches, and un-shareable results later. A good DMP is a living document: you write a first version at the proposal stage and update it as the project evolves.

The sections a DMP should cover

1. Data description

What data will you produce? Formats, volume, and whether it is generated, observed, or reused from elsewhere.

2. Documentation and metadata

How will each dataset be described so someone else can understand it? Note the metadata standards and vocabularies you will use.

3. Storage and backup

Where does the data live during the project? Cover capacity, backup frequency, and access control. The classic rule of thumb is to keep multiple copies in more than one location.

4. Ethics, legal, and licensing

Does the data contain personal or sensitive information? How will you anonymise or restrict it, and what license will govern reuse?

5. Sharing and preservation

Where will the data go after the project? Name the repository, the persistent identifier (DOI) you will assign, and how long the data will be kept.

6. Roles and responsibilities

Who owns each task — and who maintains the plan itself?

Tips for a strong plan

Be specific. "Data will be stored securely" says nothing; name the location and the backup schedule.
Plan for sharing from day one. Anonymisation and licensing are far easier to design in than to retrofit.
Make outputs FAIR. A DMP that produces Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable data is a DMP funders love.

Writing a DMP takes an afternoon and saves months. Treat it as the blueprint for turning your project's data into a lasting, citable asset.