Research Lab Operations Data Management Plans

About data management plans

A data management plan (DMP) describes how data is gathered, managed, analyzed, reported, archived, and disposed of. DMPs can also facilitate communication and a shared understanding of how to approach data management within a research team. DMPs are increasingly required by funding agencies as a component of the responsible conduct of research. The IU School of Medicine requires the creation of a data management plan per research team to serve as a record of the data management practices of research teams/projects.

For this year, the DMP must be completed by August 31, 2022.

Frequently asked questions

+ Do I have to complete a DMP?
- Yes, every principal investigator (PI) or co-PI on any federally-funded research awards, excluding the VA, is required to complete a DMP.
+ How many DMPs do I have to complete?
- A principal investigator or their delegate should fill out 1 DMP for each active federal award they have, updated annually.
+ How do I start/submit a DMP and what do I need to include?
- To start or submit a DMP, access the electronic template here. Check out the IUSM Research Data Services guide IUSM Research Data Services guide for more information about data management plans in general.
+ If I completed a DMP last year, can I copy that information for another award?
- Yes! Start by accessing the template here. To copy a DMP, click on “My Entries” in the upper right corner. On the left hand side of the screen, there should be several options and you should choose "Copy Form Entry." Select the DMP of interest (you can click on the Form ID to make sure it’s the correct one), and then choose "Copy" under the Action option on the far right. Then all the information will be copied/populated in the form. Make sure you choose the correct active award in the dropdown and choose the personnel information and any other changes that need to be made to the form for the active award.
+ My award doesn't need a DMP. Do I still have to fill out the form?
- Yes. Even if your award doesn’t require a DMP, IU School of Medicine still needs to have a DMP on file for each active federal award.
+ I entered my username, then selected one of my active grants, and nothing is happening in the "Personnel and Responsibilities" section. Why is this not working?
- Please be patient. Sometimes it takes 5-10 seconds for the system to pull in all the appropriate data.
+ How do I access my DMP after I submit it?
- In the FireForm platform, click on "My Entries" in the upper right corner. You should be able to see all the Forms you have filled out, as well as the submission dates. Click on the entry in the Form ID column on the left to see the data you have entered.
+ I submitted the DMP form before I meant to. Can I still make changes?
- Please contact medlref@iupui.edu with the award number and username and they will be able to send the DMP form back into draft mode.
+ Why do I need to complete a DMP for IU School of Medicine?
- NIH released the "Final NIH Policy for Data Management and Sharing" on October 29, 2020, with an effective date of January 25, 2023. The IU School of Medicine DMP requirement better aligns with the recommendations and requirements from the NIH and will better position our researchers to comply with the developing federal policies going forward.
+ My question isn’t listed on here, but I still need help.
- Please contact medlref@iupui.edu with questions about data management plans at IU School of Medicine.

Get help
Please contact medlref@iupui.edu with questions about data management plans at the IU School of Medicine.

Data Management Plans

Quick Links