Research Guides: NSF Data Management and Sharing Policy: Writing a DMSP: The new data management and sharing plan format

Basic plan outline

Proposals must include a document of no more than two pages uploaded under “Data Management and Sharing Plan” in the supplementary documentation section of Research.gov. This supplementary document should describe how the proposal will conform to NSF policy on the dissemination and sharing of research results (see Chapter XI.D.4), and may include:

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 (where existing standards are absent or deemed inadequate, this should be documented along with any proposed solutions or remedies);
policies for access and sharing including provisions for appropriate protection of privacy, confidentiality, security, intellectual property, or other rights or requirements;
policies and provisions for re-use, re-distribution, and the production of derivatives; and
plans for archiving data, samples, and other research products, and for preservation of access to them.

DMR Template

Allowable publication and data costs

NSF Public Access Plan 2.0
The PAPPG currently allows proposers to request funds for: the costs of documenting, preparing, publishing or otherwise making available to others the findings and products of the work conducted under the award. This generally includes the following types of activities: reports, reprints, page charges or other journal costs (except costs for prior or early publication); necessary illustrations; cleanup, documentation, storage and indexing of data and databases; development, documentation and debugging of software; and storage, preservation, documentation, indexing, etc., of physical specimens, collections or fabricated items. Line G.2. of the proposal budget also may be used to request funding for data deposit and data curation costs.

Official guidance

PAPPG 24-1 Data Management and Sharing Plan.
The Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) is comprised of documents relating to the Foundation's proposal and award process for the assistance programs of NSF.

Directorate and/or division guidance

Links to data management requirements and plans relevant to specific NSF directorates, offices, divisions or programs are provided below. If guidance specific to a directorate, division or program is not provided, follow the general requirements detailed in PAPPG II.D.2(ii):

Biological Sciences (BIO)
Engineering (ENG)
Geosciences (GEO)
Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS):
Office of Polar Programs (OPP)
Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences (SBE)
STEM Education (EDU)

Program-specific guidance:

Designing Materials to Revolutionize and Engineer our Future (DMREF)

Prefer a walk-through format? Try DMPtool

VCU is a participating institution with DMPTool. If you have never used DMP Tool before, choose Option 1 in the upper-right, then search for VCU. You can log in with your eID. From there, use these steps:

Click create a plan, and then and enter NSF as the funder
Use the "Write Plan" tab to see a step-by-step walkthrough plus links to guidance all in one place. This is a great way to practice the new planning process as you work through the format
When you're ready to output your DMS Plan, go to the Download tab and set it to...
- Format menu: PDF or Word
- Project coversheet UNchecked
- Section headings CHECKED
- question text and unanswered questions UNchecked
- Font: Arial
- Size: 11 or 12
- Margins all 13mm

For more advice and links, see https://guides.library.vcu.edu/dmptool