As of January 18, all grant applications to the National Science Foundation (NSF) must append a two-page maximum “data management plan” for data arising from the research process. Additional information can be found at:
http://researchdata.wisc.edu/make-a-plan/nsf-data-plans/.
What is a data management plan?
The NSF’s released guidelines expect grant applicants to explain:
1. Types of data, samples, physical collections, software, curriculum materials, and other materials to be produced in the course of the project;
2. Standards to be used for data and metadata format and content (where existing standards are absent or deemed inadequate, this should be documented along with any proposed solutions or remedies);
3. Policies for access and sharing including provisions for appropriate protection of privacy, confidentiality, security, intellectual property, or other rights or requirements;
4. Policies and provisions for re-use, re-distribution, and the production of derivatives;
5. Plans for archiving data, samples, and other research products, and for preservation of access to them.
Any NSF directorate may issue guidelines that supersede those listed above.
If you have questions about the NSF data management plan requirement or need help in developing a plan, please contact Rebecca Holz or Allan Barclay.