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Information on
funding applications

Besides the DFG, other funding organisations also require information on handling of research data. This section covers the DFG, the BMBF, and Horizon Europe.* If you would like to submit an application to another funding organisation and have questions about the requirements, please contact us .

DFG

Recommendations
  • Data management must be 'appropriate to the specific discipline'.
  • Grant applications must include a description of how research data will be handled. For this purpose, a questionnaire has been published.
  • The description is part of the evaluation process and is also a reporting requirement after the project’s completion.
The code of good research practice:
  • Quality assurance: description and documentation of research data, including software (Guidelines 7, 12).
  • Documented agreements on usage rights of research data (Guideline 10).
  • Use of standards when collecting research data (Guideline 11).
  • If results are published, the associated research data should also be published and made accessible wherever possible, in line with the FAIR principles (Guideline 13).
  • All data underlying a publication should be stored in a secure repository or archive according to disciplinary requirements, usually for a period of ten years (Guideline 17).
DFG guidelines
In project planning and application submissions:
  • Describe the generated research data.
  • Discuss possibilities for data reuse.
  • Consider disciplinary concepts and standards.
For long-term preservation and sharing:
  • According to the principles of good research practice: archive data for at least ten years.
  • Provided third-party rights are not affected, research data should be made available as soon as possible.
  • Make data reusable.
Discipline-specific recommendations:
  • You can find subject-specific recommendations on the DFG website "Handling of research data".
  • Consider recommendations, guidelines, and directives from DFG committees or professional associations for data management.
  • Depending on the type of funding application, information on research data must always be provided.
  • Notwithstanding the above, it is always advisable to follow the questionnaire.

DMP?

There is no obligation, but it is recommended to note in the application which data will be generated and may be relevant for third parties. This information can be included, for example, in the work plan.

What to publish?

Research data, provided that the rights of third parties (especially data protection, copyright) are not disrupted.

Where?

In a professionally relevant, nationwide infrastructure.

When?

As soon as possible.

How long to archive?

At minimum retention period of 10 years for research data in accordance with good research practice.

Further specifications:

“The research data should be accessible at a processing stage that allows for effective reuse by third parties, whether in the form of raw or structured data. To ensure this, it is crucial to enable continued access to the research data even when the rights of usage need to be transferred to third parties, typically a publisher, in connection with a publication.”

Cost coverage

You can apply for project-specific costs incurred for the reuse of research data within the framework of the project.

BMBF

Requirements of the BMBF vary depending on the call for proposals.

Introduction
  • Ensuring the reproducibility and quality of research through sustainable preservation and accessibility.
  • The FAIR principles must be adhered to.
  • Reference to the DFG checklist.
  • Individual requirements are specified in the applications as a short checklist.
Subject-specific resources:
  • FAIR principles
  • "Further information on handling of research data can be found in the DFG checklist".
  • Research results must be published regardless of their outcome - even if the results are negative.
  • Results should be published open access.
  • Data should be published using international standards for sharing and reuse.
  • If possible, data should be made available for the entire duration of a project.
  • Newly developed approaches to data utilisation, analysis or sharing should be made available for reuse in relevant repositories as soon as possible, but not later than six months after the end of funding.
Data management plans, costs, targeted funding

There are specific regulations in each application concerning data management plans. Processing and preparation costs can usually be claimed. For targeted funding of RDM, see action plan for research data that can be found  here.

This includes:

  • Data infrastructures
  • Data-driven innovation
  • Data competencies

DMP?

The BMBF typically expects a so-called utilization plan or information on the utilization of results as part of the application.

What to publish?

Usually, research results.

Where?

Data storage in a repository – specific requirements of the funding line must be considered!

When?

Usually after project completion.

How long to archive?

Adhere to the guidelines of the application; the guidelines for good research practice of the DFG stipulate a minimum of ten years.

Further specifications:

Dependent on the specific funding guidelines.

Cost coverage

Dependent on the call for proposals.

HORIZON EUROPE

Requirements during the application process
  • A Data Management Plan (DMP) is mandatory and must be updated regularly.
  • The handling of research data must be responsible and aligned with the FAIR principles. A statement relating to this of up to one page is required in the proposal.
  • Access to research data should be "as open as possible, as closed as necessary".
  • The use of standardized metadata, licenses, and PIDs is required.

The DMP does not need to be finalized for the application. It should include at least the following project-specific information:

  • Which type of data will be collected, processed, and/or generated?
  • Which PIDs and repositories will be used?
  • Which standards will be applied?
  • How will data be utilized, shared, made accessible for verification and reuse? Provide an explanation if data cannot be made accessible.
  • Details on how data will be curated and preserved.

The full version of the DMP must be submitted within the first 6 months.

The data must be stored in an adequate repository
  • Generated data should be placed in the respective repository as soon as possible, at the latest at the end of the project.
  • Data should generally be provided as open access with a CC BY or CC 0 (or equivalent) license; exceptions must be explained in the DMP.
  • Metadata should also be published under a CC 0 license.
  • For some procedures, storage in a repository federated under the EOSC is required.
  • In addition to the data, metadata, essential information on research results and tools required for reuse must also be deposited in the repository.
DMP template
  • Costs related to research data management, such as data storage, processing, and preservation, are eligible for funding.
  • Horizon Europe provides a DMP template .

DMP?

Required

What to publish?

Research data that will be necessary to validate results from text publications, all data specified in the data management plan for publication.

Where?

In a trustworthy repository of your choice, PIDs required, metadata under CC-0 licence (or equivalent), data under CC-BY or CC-0 (or equivalent), storage on the project or publisher’s website is not sufficient.

When?

As soon as possible, at the latest with the publication of the associated main findings.

Further specifications:

All data must be kept in accordance with the FAIR principles, exceptions to data publication are possible for certain reasons, costs for data management are chargeable, individual calls may have additional requirements.


*Please note that requirements may differ in different applications and programmes of the same funding institution. It is therefore generally advisable to check the specific, current requirements individually.

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