Universität Bonn

Research Data Service Center

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DMPs and RDM in grant applications

A data management plan (DMP) provides a useful structure for the handling of research data gathered in a research project. A DMP is a forward-looking effort to organize the research project. It addresses technical, methodological, logistical as well as legal aspects pertinent to the handling of digital data. Funding agencies are also increasingly demanding information on the handling of research data in project applications.

We offer a data management plan guideline (available also in German language). The guideline follows the DFG requirements for the handling of research data in funded projets. The helptexts contain links to additional ressources and relevant services available at the University of Bonn.

We advise you individually on the creation of a DMP for your research project. You can also send us your draft version which we will revise and comment: researchdata@uni-bonn.de

DMP-Service contact person

Avatar Bittner

Dr. Christian Bittner

In the meantime, all major agencies funding research projects expect structured research data management and compliance with the FAIR principles.

Even though our site is regularly updated: Please make sure that there are no updates or changes for the respective funding organization!

You are welcome to send us your draft application or passages relevant to research data management for comments: forschungsdaten@uni-bonn.de After consultation with us, you are welcome to name the Research Data Service Center as an advisory unit in the application, e.g. by using the wording: "The Research Data Service Center at the University of Bonn supports the project's research data management planning and implementation."

You can get support for your project application beyond questions of research data management from the funding advisory service or at foerderberatung@uni-bonn.de

The German Research Fundation (DFG)

In 2022, the DFG specified its RDM requirements, which are also based on the Guidelines for Safeguarding Good Research Practice. The DFG has created a mandatory checklist for the section 2.4 "Handling of research data" in project applications. When preparing your project application, you can also use our guide, which offers help texts and information on services and additional resources. A growing number of DFG review boards have also published subject-specific statements on the handling of research data. These serve as a specification or supplement to the general DFG information and must also be taken into account. Plan at least one page of text for point 2.4. It is also possible to submit a data management plan as an attachment to the application.

See also: DFG - Handling of research data

The European Union (EU)

A strong commitment to Open Science and RDM is anchored in the Horizon Europe funding framework program (2021-2027). This means that statements on RDM and compliance with the FAIR principles are mandatory. Funded projects must also submit a data management plan within the first six months of the project and regularly update it.

Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF)

In 2020, the BMBF recognized increasing importance of research data in the Aktionsplan Forschungsdaten and committed itself to the FAIR principles. Precise requirements are formulated in the individual BMBF announcements.

Volkswagen Foundation

The VW Foundation commits to RDM and to the FAIR principles in its 2021 Open Science Policy. For projects in which “larger amounts of data are generated”, applicants are expected to submit a data management plan.

Discipline-specific resources:

Mansour et al. (2023): FAIRmat, Guide to Writing a Research Data Management Plan. (material science)