Plan

A Research Data Management Plan (DMP) is a formal document that outlines how you will handle your data throughout your research project: from collection and storage to sharing and preservation.

Creating a DMP is a crucial step that helps ensure your research data is well-organized, secure, and accessible for the long term.

Why write a Data Management Plan?

• Meet funder requirements: Most major funding agencies, including Canada’s Tri-Agency, now require a DMP as part of grant applications. A well-prepared plan demonstrates your commitment to responsible data stewardship.
• Enhance research efficiency: Planning ahead reduces data loss and duplication, improves collaboration, and saves time during analysis and publication.
• Ensure data integrity and reproducibility: By specifying how data will be documented, stored, and preserved, DMPs help make your research transparent and reproducible.
• Promote open science and FAIR principles: A clear plan supports sharing your data in trusted repositories, increasing your research visibility and scholarly impact.

What to include in your Data Management Plan

Your DMP typically covers:

• Types of data: What kinds of data will you collect or generate? (e.g., numerical, text, images, audio)
• Data collection and documentation: How will you gather and describe your data to ensure clarity and usability?
• Storage and backup: Where and how will data be securely stored and backed up during the project?
• Data sharing: Will you share your data? If so, when, where, and under what conditions?
• Ethics and privacy: How will you protect sensitive or confidential information?
• Data preservation: What are your plans for long-term archiving and access?

Tools and supports at UBC

• DMP Assistant: Use the Canadian DMP Assistant platform developed by the Portage Network (now Alliance) to create tailored, funder-compliant data management plans.

  • UBC simplified template (pre-funding phase):
    This concise template and accompanying guidance are intended for research teams preparing grant applications. It helps plan the management of research data throughout the project lifecycle. The template was updated by UBC’s campus-wide Data Management Plans Working Group (DMPs WG) in May 2025.

  • UBC comprehensive template (post-funding phase):
    This detailed template is designed for research teams after receiving grant funding. It supports thorough planning and documentation of the research data lifecycle. The template was revised by UBC’s campus-wide Data Management Plans Working Group (DMPs WG) in May 2025.

• DMPTool – Create DMPs for US funding agencies, such as the National Institutes of Health or the National Science Foundation.

Learn more:

• Quick guide for creating simplified DMPs for the pre-award phase (grant applications)
• Quick guide for creating comprehensive DMPs for the post-award phase
• UBC Library RDM GitHub– Open source, computationally reproducible, self-paced training on all things RDM, including directory structures, file naming, file formatting, Data Management Plans, data deposits, and much more.
• Indigenous data
• Get DOIs
• Get an ORCID ID
• Organize your data
• Format your data
• Document your data
• Store and back up your data
• Protect your data
• Preserve your data

Need help? Contact research.data@ubc.ca