This will help you plan how your research data will be collected, stored, documented and shared throughout the project and you can avoid potential challenges from the beginning. Your DMP will change over time to reflect the way you handle your data through the research process.

AAU have a generic DMP template that you can use (read more in the next section), but be aware that some funders require that you use a specific template. 

Describe why you have chosen to handle the data in that exact way. This helps make your decisions clear and shows how they support responsible data management.

A Data Management Plan, often shortened to DMP, is a written plan that describes how research data will be handled throughout a research project. In the plan, you outline how data will be collected, organised, documented, stored, protected, shared, published and preserved.

A DMP is often created using a template that covers relevant topics and includes predefined questions to guide you through the most important aspects of data management planning. This helps you make informed decisions about your data early in the research process and provides an overview that can be useful both during and after the project.

At AAU, you have access to DeiC DMP, where you can find an AAU template for your DMP.

CLAAUDIA can help AAU researchers with DMPs. We offer general guidance, workshops and feedback on written DMPs in all stages.

You can contact CLAAUDIA through the AAU service portal.

Yes. At AAU, researchers must create a DMP for their research projects.

If you want to know more about the requirements, you can read the Policy for Research Data Management at Aalborg University or contact CLAAUDIA for guidance here.

A DMP is a practical tool for working with the FAIR principles. FAIR stands for Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable.

When you write a DMP, you reflect on many of the same questions that are central to FAIR data management: How will your data be documented? How can it be found? Who can access it? What standards or formats will you use? And how can the data be understood and potentially reused by others?

Read more about the FAIR Principles here

The right template depends on your project and funder requirements. If your funder requires a specific template, you should use that.

If there are no specific requirements, you can use a general DMP template as a guide. In DeiC DMP, you can find an AAU template that covers relevant topics and includes predefined questions to help you address the most important aspects of your data management planning.

Yes. A DMP is required for research projects at AAU and applies to all types of research data across faculties and departments.

A DMP does not replace legal, ethical or GDPR assessments, but it can help you identify relevant questions and clarify how data will be handled in practice.

It depends on the funder and the specific call. However, data management plans are increasingly expected in research funding applications, either as a requirement or as an advantage. It is therefore a good idea to check the requirements early and consider how your research data will be managed throughout the project.

It depends entirely on your research project. Factors such as data type, amount of data, external partners, and participants all contribute to time allocation.  If you need assistance or guidance with this, please contact CLAAUDIA.

Contact CLAAUDIA here

Your DMP is a reflection on how your research project works with data. Any significant changes to this work must be incorporated into your DMP.  

Note that some funders have a specific process for DMP deliverables.