Open Science and Data Management Plan (OSDMP) - Template Instructions

Aug 31, 2026

Open Science and Data Management Plan (OSDMP) instructions define how scientific information from NASA flight projects is managed and shared openly. The guidance explains how the OSDMP meets Level-1 program requirements for processed science data distribution, open-source scientific software development, and public accessibility of mission publications. Each required section must be addressed or justified as optional; omission requires a waiver through the Office of the Chief Science Data Officer. Approval signatures, compliance matrix attachment, cross-references for formatting differences, and requirements for public release in NASA’s STI Repository with a persistent identifier are specified, along with living-document updates and SPD-41a terminology use.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatDOCX

Pages30

Reading Time11 min

AccessFree to download

I.1 Template Instructions

I.2 Title Page

I.3 Open Science and Data Management Plan

0.0 Preface

1.0 Introduction

2.0 Mission Overview

3.0 Open Science

4.0 Science Instrumentation

5.0 Data Management

6.0 Scientific Software Management

Appendix A: References

Appendix B: Abbreviations and Acronyms

Appendix C. OSDMP Compliance Matrix

Appendix I. Open Science and Data Management Plan Template Template Change Log Table of Contents TOC \o "1-2" \f \h \z \u HYPERLINK \l "_Toc184633021" I.1 Template Instructions PAGEREF _Toc184633021 \h 2 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc184633022" I.2 Title Page PAGEREF _Toc184633022 \h 4 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc184633023" I.3 Open Science and Data Management Plan PAGEREF _Toc184633023 \h 5 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc184633024" 0.0 Preface PAGEREF _Toc184633024 \h 5 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc184633025" 1.0 Introduction PAGEREF _Toc184633025 \h 7 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc184633026" 2.0 Mission Overview PAGEREF _Toc184633026 \h 7 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc184633027" 3.0 Open Science PAGEREF _Toc184633027 \h 8 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc184633028" 4.0 Science Instrumentation PAGEREF _Toc184633028 \h 11 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc184633029" 5.0 Data Management PAGEREF _Toc184633029 \h 13 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc184633030" 6.0 Scientific Software Management PAGEREF _Toc184633030 \h 19 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc184633031" Appendix A: References PAGEREF _Toc184633031 \h 23 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc184633032" Appendix B: Abbreviations and Acronyms PAGEREF _Toc184633032 \h 24 HYPERLINK \l "_Toc184633033" Appendix C. OSDMP Compliance Matrix PAGEREF _Toc184633033 \h 25 I.1 Template Instructions The Open Science and Data Management Plan (OSDMP) is the interface document between NASA, flight projects, and instrument teams that describes how scientific information associated with the project will be managed and shared openly. The OSDMP describes how the project will meet the Level-1 requirements (found within the Program Level Requirements Appendix, PLRA) that address the preparation and distribution of processed science data, the development of scientific software as open source, and the open accessibility of mission publications and materials produced for public scientific meetings. The OSDMP is a requirement for flight projects within the Scientific Mission Directorate and a Best Practice for flight projects in other directorates when applicable. Each section in the OSDMP is required unless it is not applicable to the project or is marked as optional in this Appendix. If a section is not applicable to a particular project, indicate in the appropriate section and provide a rationale. If a section is applicable but the project desires to omit the section or parts of a section, then a waiver needs to be obtained from the Office of the Chief Science Data Officer in accordance with the requirement tailoring process for NPR 7120.5, NASA Space Flight Program and Project Management Requirements. Approvals are documented in Part 4.0, Waivers or Deviations Log, of the Program Plan. The Compliance Matrix for the OSDMP is attached to the OSDMP and included as an Appendix in this document. If the format of the completed OSDMP differs from this template, a cross-reference table indicating the location for each template paragraph must be provided with the document when it is submitted for review. The approval signatures of the Program Manager and Project Manager certify that the OSDMP implements all of the Agency’s applicable institutional requirements or that the authority responsible for those requirements has agreed to the modification of those requirements contained in the OSDMP. The SMD Chief Science Data Officer and the relevant SMD Division Data Officer concur that the OSDMP meets those requirements. Divisions may include additional signatories to the document, including data repository representatives, Program Scientists, or Program Executives for the purposes of review and/or concurrence. The project delivers a preliminary version of the OSDMP at the Preliminary Design Review (PDR). The OSDMP is baselined and signed at the Critical Design Review (CDR). A public version of the OSDMP shall be made available after being approved at CDR. At a minimum, the OSDMP shall be made publicly available in the NASA STI Repository. Proje

FAQs

What is the purpose of an OSDMP for NASA flight projects?

The OSDMP serves as the interface document describing how scientific information will be managed and shared openly. It explains how required Level-1 program objectives are met for data, open-source software, and public mission materials.

How should teams handle OSDMP sections that are not applicable or are optional?

Each section is required unless marked optional or not applicable. If a section is not applicable, the team must indicate this and provide a rationale in the relevant section.

When is a waiver required for omitting an applicable OSDMP section, and who approves it?

If an applicable section (or parts of it) is desired to be omitted, a waiver must be obtained from the Office of the Chief Science Data Officer through the requirement tailoring process. Approvals are documented in the program plan’s waivers or deviations log.

Aug 31, 2026

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