About Data Management Plans
A Data Management Plan (DMP) is a formal document that outlines how research data will be collected, organised, stored, protected, shared, and preserved throughout a research project. It is typically prepared during the proposal stage by the principal investigator and research team and may be required by funding agencies as part of a grant application.
Developing a DMP helps researchers identify the resources, responsibilities, and costs associated with managing research data. Effective planning can improve research efficiency, support compliance with funder and institutional requirements, and facilitate the management of data in accordance with the FAIR Principles: Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable.
A DMP typically addresses the following areas:
- Data collection and creation
- Documentation and metadata
- Ethics and legal compliance
- Data storage, backup, preservation, and archiving
- Data sharing and access
- Roles, responsibilities, and resource requirements
DMP Tool
To support researchers in developing DMPs, the CUHK Library provides a DMP service through DMP Tool, a free, open-source online platform developed and supported by the University of California Curation Center (UC3). CUHK staff and students can access the platform using their CUHK OnePass credentials to create DMPs based on templates from funding agencies and research institutions. Researchers can also consult funder-specific requirements, DMP guidance, and supporting resources through the Library’s DMP LibGuide.
Self-Help Guide
The CUHK Library’s DMP LibGuide provides guidance on:
- Data Management Plan requirements and key components
- Resources and templates for DMP preparation
- Creating DMPs using DMP Tool
- Funder and institutional DMP requirements and expectations
Training Resources
An online workshop recording on Data Management Plans (DMPs) is also available below.
- Writing Data Management Plans with DMP Tool (October 2025) [Recording]