A Data Management Plan (DMP) is a document that explains how you’ll handle the data in your research project. Most research funders expect you to submit one when you apply for funding. Some may also ask you to update it during the project.
A good Data Management Plan helps you:
- stay organised
- save time and avoid mistakes
- meet funder and legal requirements
- make your data easier to understand and reuse later
What to include
The structure of a Data Management Plan may vary between funders, but they should usually explain:
- what data you’ll collect or create
- how you'll store and back up the data
- if there are any legal and ethical requirements
- how you'll keep the data safe and secure
- who can access the data
- your plans to share the data, and how
- what will happen to the data after your project ends
- if there are any costs associated with fulfilling your data management responsibilities
You can also use 'DMPonline' to check what your funder requires. Your Data Management Plan is considered a ‘living document’ and can change if your research plans change.
How to create a Data Management Plan
You can use ‘DMPonline’ to create a Data Management Plan. This tool:
- offers templates based on UK and European funder requirements
- tailors your plan to your chosen funder
- provides a generic template if you don’t have a funder or your funder is not listed
- lets you export your plan as a Word, Excel or PDF file
You can sign in using your University of Cambridge credentials. You can then download your plan and include it with your grant application.
You can also use our simple Data Management Plan template (Word document, 26kB).
Help and support
There are several ways that we can support you if you need help with your Data Management Plan.
Please ask for help as early as possible, so that there’s enough time to support you before your deadline.