What Is a Data Management Plan (DMP) – and Why Does It Matter?

A Data Management Plan (DMP) is a roadmap for how research data will be collected, stored, documented, and shared — before, during, and after a project. It ensures that data are:

• 🔒 Secure and ethically managed
• 🗂️ Well-documented and organized
• 🗃️ Preserved for long-term access
• 🔁 Accessible and reusable, when possible

What Does a Data Management Plan Include?

A good DMP covers the full data lifecycle and typically includes:

• 👤 Defining responsibilities for data management
• 📊 Describing the types of data to be collected or created
• 🔒 Planning storage, preservation, and sharing of data
• ⚖️ Ensuring ethical and legal requirements are met

Required by Funders

Many research funders require a Data Management Plan (DMP) as part of the application process. This includes Horizon Europe and the Swedish Research Council (Vetenskapsrådet).

• Explore funder requirements for data management

Why Is a DMP Important for You?

A DMP is more than just an administrative requirement. While many funders require it, a well-crafted plan also helps you:

• 🎯 Increase your chances of funding success by clearly addressing data management
• ⏱️ Save time by avoiding confusion about formats, storage, or ownership
• 🔒 Protect your data against loss or misuse
• ♻️ Increase visibility and reuse through the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable).

Create Your DMP with DMPonline

Halmstad University offers a local version of DMPonline, a web-based tool that helps researchers create, review, and share data management plans. Use it as your workspace to plan, document, and preserve research data throughout your project.

Useful Resources

Presentation (In Swedish, SND): Introduktion till datahanteringsplaner