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Research Data Management

This guide will assist researchers in planning for the various stages of managing their research data and in preparing data management plans required with funding proposals.

NSF Data Sharing Requirements

  1. A Data Management Plan (DMP) submitted as part of any funding proposal (to be reviewed and updated as necessary throughout the research cycle)

  2. All data resulting from the research funded by the award, whether or not the data support a publication, should be deposited in an appropriate data repository as explained in the DMP.

NSF Data Management Plan

A Data Management Plan (DMP) must be submitted with all research proposals, describing whether and how data generated in the course of the proposed research will be shared and preserved and, at a minimum, describe how data sharing and preservation will enable validation of results, or how results could be validated if data are not shared or preserved. Applies to unclassified and otherwise unrestricted digital research data (i.e. digital data required to validate research findings) produced in whole or in part by NSF-funded research. Research proposals without a DMP will not be considered for funding. 

Content that may be included under the general guidelines is as follows:

  • The types of data, samples, physical collections, software, curriculum materials and other materials to be produced in the course of the project.
  • The standards to be used for data and metadata format and content. In cases where existing standards are absent or deemed inadequate, this should be documented along with any proposed solutions or remedies.
  • Policies for data access and sharing, including provisions for appropriate protection of privacy, confidentiality, security, intellectual property or other rights or requirements.
  • Policies and provisions for data reuse, redistribution and the production of derivatives.
  • Plans for archiving data, samples and other research products, and for preserving access to them.

If your proposed project will not produce data, you must include a document justifying this in place of the data management and sharing plan.

Additional guidance specific to the directorate, office, division, program, or other NSF unit can be found on the NSF's Preparing Your Data Management and Sharing Plan website 

WVU suggests that you use the Use the Data Management Planning Tool to create your DMP. DMPTool contains templates and examples specific to NSF units. 

Where should I share my data?

Individual research offices will encourage researchers to deposit data in existing community or institutional repositories or to submit these data to the article publisher as supplemental information.

When do I need to submit my data?

Data in support of published research should be deposited in accordance with the policies of the publication (usually at time of publication). All data resulting from the research funded by the award, whether or not the data support a publication, should be deposited at the appropriate repository as explained in the DMP, within a reasonable amount of time as defined by the NSF unit.

Additional Resources