Countway Library Data Services provides consultation and feedback for the interpretation of data management and sharing policies, including guidance related to data management plans (DMPs).

The Countway DMP Review Service is available to any member of the HMS, HSDM, and HSPH community who is is writing a data management plan for inclusion in a proposal being submitted through Harvard and/or would like assistance navigating data management and sharing-related policies. This service is free of charge.

Training on data management and data management plans is also available to the HMS, HSDM, and HSPH community. Please check the Countway Library Calendar for upcoming classes.

Requirements:

  1. Provide a minimum of two weeks notice for review and consultation prior to the application due date.
  2. Data Management Plan written in DMPTool and shared with Countway Data Librarian.
  3. Consultation request with Countway Data Librarian.

The Countway Data Librarian will:

  • Provide a minimum one-hour review and one 30-minute consultation. Additional review may be requested depending on staff availability.
  • Provide their expertise in data management-related practices and strategies to help researchers create and implement data management plans that meet the expectations outlined by their funders. This includes available metadata standards, data repositories, and recommended practices for implementing a data management strategy.
  • Refer clients to other campus services and offices for questions specific to those areas.
  • Provide self-service guidance for DMPs on the Harvard Biomedical Data Management website.
  • Update the DMPTool with local guidance relevant to Harvard.

The Countway Data Librarian will NOT:

  • Provide technical support for setting up data management systems specified in data management plans.
  • Write DMPs on behalf of research teams of which they are not an active part.
  • Create metadata, provide data curation, or directly upload data files to a data repository. If you are depositing data into the Harvard Dataverse Repository, Harvard Dataverse provides fee-based curation services.

For Harvard researchers using the Countway DMP Review Service we ask that you keep the following in mind:

  • We require that you reach out to us at least two weeks prior to a grant application due date so that we can provide you with the help you need well before your grant is due. We may not be able to accommodate requests made less than two weeks before the application is due.
  • As major grant deadlines approach, we may have many requests for this service and have a limited number of team members.
  • We require your DMP to be entered into DMPTool and shared with the Countway Data Librarian.
  • Please do not list any of our staff as responsible parties in any DMP unless express permission from that individual has been given to do so.
  • If you need more help, contact us early in the grant-writing process!