Where can I find the guidance and the template to be used for the FWF data management plan?

You can find the DMP guidance and template here.

In what language must the DMP be written?

The DMP must be written in the same language as the funding application. 

What is meant by “research data”?

In accordance with the Concordat on Open Research Data, the FWF defines research data as “the evidence that underpins the answer to the research question, and can be used to validate findings regardless of its form (e.g., print, digital, or physical)”.

At what point must the data management plan (DMP) be sent to the FWF?

The DMP must be submitted together with the FWF grant agreement for an approved project and the PR abstract. The DMP is a requirement to start the project.

The DMP is viewed as a “living document”. It can be changed at any time during the project, although any changes must be documented. The final version must be submitted with the final report.

How is the DMP evaluated?

The DMP is not part of the review of the project proposal. The DMP is checked for plausibility and completeness by the FWF. Particular attention is paid to how the DMP handles and complies with the FWF’s Open Access Policy on research data. If there are any problems or errors, you will be notified of these and requested to submit an updated version of the DMP. It is recommended to consult the research data management support of your institution when preparing the DMP.

How are DMPs submitted in the case of international projects?

In the case of international projects, a DMP must be submitted to the FWF for all those research data that are generated and used as part of the FWF project. 

Where can I find example data management plans?

You can find examples here on the website of the Digital Curation Centre (DCC).

I do not think that my project will generate or use any data. What must I do?

Some research projects do not produce or use any data. In this case, you do not have to fill in the entire DMP template, just section “I.2 Data management responsibilities and resources”, where you must describe and explain why you think that the project will not produce or use any data.

What research data must be made openly accessible to comply with the FWF’s Open Access Policy on research data?

For projects approved from 1 January 2019 onwards, the FWF expects open access to research data and other materials which are collected and/or analysed with the aid of FWF funds:

Open access is required for the underlying research data upon which the scientific or academic publications of the project are based. These comprise all data needed to reproduce and verify the results of the publications, including the respective metadata. These data are to be published as quickly as possible, but no later than together with the respective scientific or academic publication. If, for reasons of a legal, ethical, or other nature, open access to these data is not available, or only partially available, a justification must be provided in the data management plan (DMP).

Open access to all other research data arising from the project is up to the discretion of the principal investigator. These encompass, among other things, curated data which cannot be directly attributed to one publication, or raw data, including the respective metadata. In any case, such data must be described in the DMP.

Can funding be requested for the preparation, archiving, open access, and later use of research data in registered repositories?

As per the application guidelines of the project (“Other costs”), funding can be requested for the preparation, archiving, open access, and later use of research data in repositories in accordance with the FWF’s Open Access Policy (see “Criteria for Open Research Data”).

Who can I contact with questions about the DMP?

If you have any questions about the Data Management Plan, please contact dmp(at)fwf.ac.at.

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