This group will develop a standardized Application Programming Interface (API) for machine-actionable Data Management Plans (maDMPs). This API will provide a unified approach to accessing and managing information within maDMPs, ensuring interoperability across different tools and systems. Notably, the API specification will be independent of any specific programming language or platform, representing a community consensus on how maDMP data should be accessed and exchanged.

Currently, DMP tools vary in how they implement the RDA Recommendation on maDMPs [1]. This recommendation establishes a consensus on representing DMP information in a machine-actionable way, primarily supporting cases where maDMPs are transferred as complete entities between services—similar to how traditional DMPs are exchanged as documents. However, to fully leverage the transition from static PDFs to maDMPs, we must enable more granular access—both for reading and writing—of maDMP information. It is essential to move beyond the paradigm of simply generating and transmitting documents. By creating a common API for maDMPs, we will facilitate the evolution of DMP tools into DMP platforms that integrate more seamlessly with other services where research data is processed. This will also allow them to function as dashboards, providing real-time insights into data management, such as where research data is stored, who has access, and where it will be published.

This WG brings together a global network of experts in data management planning, building on the Salzburg Manifesto [2]—a joint declaration from leading DMP tool providers in Europe, the US, and the UK. The manifesto underscores the urgent need for a standardized API to support machine-actionable DMPs, aligning with the WG’s goal of fostering collaboration and harmonization across regions. The initiative was presented at the RDA Plenary in Costa Rica, where it received strong support from maDMP adopters, reinforcing its significance.

Implementing this API will transform maDMPs into dynamic, continuously updated records. For instance, they could automatically incorporate real-time data from external services, such as repository updates when datasets are deposited. Additionally, Scientific Knowledge Graphs (SKGs) could use the API to retrieve relevant data from finalized DMPs. By structuring and automating access to maDMP data, the API will enhance Research Data Management (RDM) assessment and improve research evaluation mechanisms.

More broadly, this API will enhance the communication of scientific information by making research data more transparent and accessible. This increased transparency will strengthen public trust in science and encourage greater societal engagement with research outcomes.

Some preliminary work has already been carried out to support this WG. The OSTrails project has contributed to this effort, and its deliverable D1.4 outlines key ideas and potential next steps for API development [3]. Additionally, a journal paper [4] has been published, further exploring the challenges and opportunities associated with standardizing access to maDMPs. These resources provide a solid foundation for the WG’s activities and will help guide discussions and implementation efforts.

[1] Miksa, T., Walk, P., & Neish, P. RDA DMP Common Standard for Machine-actionable Data Management Plans. https://doi.org/10.15497/rda00039

[2] https://activedmps.org

[3] Miksa, T., Wilkinson, M., Manghi, P., & Suchánek, M. (2025). D1.4 OSTrails Interoperability Reference Architecture V1. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14795000

[4] Zoubek, F., Miksa, T., Rauber, A. Conceptual service architecture to synchronize research data management services using machine-actionable data management plans. ACM Transactions on Management Information Systems 2025. https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3712014

This group will develop a standardized Application Programming Interface (API) for machine-actionable Data Management Plans (maDMPs). This API will provide a unified approach to accessing and managing information within maDMPs, ensuring interoperability across different tools and systems. Notably, the API specification will be independent of any specific programming language or platform, representing a community consensus on how maDMP data should be accessed and exchanged.

Currently, DMP tools vary in how they implement the RDA Recommendation on maDMPs [1]. This recommendation establishes a consensus on representing DMP information in a machine-actionable way, primarily supporting cases where maDMPs are transferred as complete entities between services—similar to how traditional DMPs are exchanged as documents. However, to fully leverage the transition from static PDFs to maDMPs, we must enable more granular access—both for reading and writing—of maDMP information. It is essential to move beyond the paradigm of simply generating and transmitting documents. By creating a common API for maDMPs, we will facilitate the evolution of DMP tools into DMP platforms that integrate more seamlessly with other services where research data is processed. This will also allow them to function as dashboards, providing real-time insights into data management, such as where research data is stored, who has access, and where it will be published.

This WG brings together a global network of experts in data management planning, building on the Salzburg Manifesto [2]—a joint declaration from leading DMP tool providers in Europe, the US, and the UK. The manifesto underscores the urgent need for a standardized API to support machine-actionable DMPs, aligning with the WG’s goal of fostering collaboration and harmonization across regions. The initiative was presented at the RDA Plenary in Costa Rica, where it received strong support from maDMP adopters, reinforcing its significance.

Implementing this API will transform maDMPs into dynamic, continuously updated records. For instance, they could automatically incorporate real-time data from external services, such as repository updates when datasets are deposited. Additionally, Scientific Knowledge Graphs (SKGs) could use the API to retrieve relevant data from finalized DMPs. By structuring and automating access to maDMP data, the API will enhance Research Data Management (RDM) assessment and improve research evaluation mechanisms.

More broadly, this API will enhance the communication of scientific information by making research data more transparent and accessible. This increased transparency will strengthen public trust in science and encourage greater societal engagement with research outcomes.

Some preliminary work has already been carried out to support this WG. The OSTrails project has contributed to this effort, and its deliverable D1.4 outlines key ideas and potential next steps for API development [3]. Additionally, a journal paper [4] has been published, further exploring the challenges and opportunities associated with standardizing access to maDMPs. These resources provide a solid foundation for the WG’s activities and will help guide discussions and implementation efforts.

[1] Miksa, T., Walk, P., & Neish, P. RDA DMP Common Standard for Machine-actionable Data Management Plans. https://doi.org/10.15497/rda00039

[2] https://activedmps.org

[3] Miksa, T., Wilkinson, M., Manghi, P., & Suchánek, M. (2025). D1.4 OSTrails Interoperability Reference Architecture V1. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14795000

[4] Zoubek, F., Miksa, T., Rauber, A. Conceptual service architecture to synchronize research data management services using machine-actionable data management plans. ACM Transactions on Management Information Systems 2025. https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3712014