Data Management - Department of Energy: Overview

The Department of Energy has identified Data Management as an integral component of the future of scientific pursuit. Beginning October 1, 2015, each DOE sponsoring research office must include the requirements for DMPs in all solicitations and invitations for research funding.  The DOE Office of Science has required DMPs as part of research proposals since October 1, 2014. The purpose of the DMP is to encourage planning, organization and conscience awareness of your data throughout the lifecycle of your project.

• These requirements apply to proposals from all organizations including academic institutions, DOE National Laboratories, and others. This policy does not apply to proposals to use DOE User Facilities or other DOE laboratory infrastructure or services.
• DOE's Statement on Digital Data Management also requires any publication resulting from DOE funded research to make publicly available the digital research data that supports and validates that publication. At a minimum, the DMPs must describe how data sharing and preservation will enable validation of results, or how results could be validated if data are not shared or preserved.
• It is the responsibility of the Principal Investigator (PI) to determine which data should be the subject of the DMP, since not all data is required to be shared or preserved. It is also the responsibility of the PI to determine whether or not to include the cost associated with data management in the proposed research budget.
• DMPs will be reviewed as part of the overall Office of Science research proposal merit review process. It is expected that researchers will follow, to the best of their ability, the proposed research and associated data management plan.   Failure to do so may negatively influence future funding opportunities.