On October 1^st, 2015, BIO made available an updated version of “Biological Sciences Guidance on Data Management Plans.”

A Data Management Plan (DMP) must be included with a full proposal and should describe how a project will conform to NSF policy on the dissemination and sharing of research results (see NSF 15-1 and NSF 16-1). The DMP is evaluated as part of the Merit Review process, either under the Intellectual Merit or the Broader Impacts criterion, or both, as appropriate for the scientific community of relevance. BIO anticipates differences in data management practices across the many research communities we support and recognizes that not all data are appropriate for post-project dissemination or preservation.

Generally, the DMP addresses two different aspects of the research process:

• data handling during the project (which concerns robust and reliable research), and
• preparation of data (software/materials/etc.) for dissemination or deposit for future access.

In brief, a DMP should include:

• the types of data, samples, physical collections, software, curriculum and other materials to be produced in the course of the project;
• standards to be used to contain and describe those data and materials, including (data) format and metadata standard;
• policies that pertain to sharing and access, including where appropriate, consideration of
  • appropriate protection of privacy, confidentiality, security, intellectual property, or other rights or requirements; and
  • allowances or restrictions on re-use, re-distribution, and the production of derivatives;
• plans for depositing or archiving data, samples, and other research products to preserve access to them.

In response to consultations with the scientific community and BIO’s Program Officers about data management, this updated BIO Guidance on DMPs is intended to clarify several required components identified in NSF policy. Please note that program-level data management requirements may be more specific or extensive than the BIO Guidance on DMPs, and you are advised to contact a BIO Program Officer if you have any questions related to a DMP in the program context.

Future blog posts will address BIOData as well as changes in the newly released version of the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG; NSF 16-1); the new PAPPG is effective for proposals submitted, or due, on or after January 25, 2016.