In response to low research data management engagement at the University of New South Wales, Australia, an introductory research data management online training was developed and rolled out to all newly enrolled Higher Degree Research candidates. This article outlines the development process of the research data management online training and provides an initial evaluation of the training from the perspectives of the candidates and the university. As such, this article joins up with existing literature on research data management training to assist institutions and research data management stakeholders with the development of research data management training to help researchers and research students enact research data management best practices. Overall, the majority of the candidates ( n = 643) were satisfied with the quality of the training and found it helpful. The benefits the training brought to the university are mapped out by linking institutional research data management problems, the research data management online training’s design and findings into a coherent narrative.