Accessing The Atlanta Research Data Center

Researchers must develop a proposal, submit it for review by the applicable agency, and obtain Special Sworn Status. Once Special Sworn Status requirements are met, they can conduct research at the ARDC and will also have access to an onsite research assistant free of charge. As there are approximately 30 RDC labs across the US, Tulane researchers will easily be able to work with colleagues at other universities associated with other RDCs. For information on RDCs nationwide, consult the Federal Statistical Research Data Centers website. 

For additional information, contact Melissa Banzhaf, ARDC Administrator, at melissa.r.banzhaf@census.gov  or the Murphy Institute at murphy@tulane.edu.

Steps for Developing a Proposal Using Restricted Census Data

1. Identify the datasets needed by visiting ResearchDataGov (https://www.researchdatagov.org/) or the FSRDC webpage (https://www.census.gov/topics/research/guidance/restricted-use-microdata.html). Additional guidance can be sought from a metadata file containing data sets used in recent project (https://www.census.gov/about/adrm/fsrdc/about/ongoing-projects.html).
2. Send a brief email to the Atlanta FSRDC administrator describing the research question and which datasets you anticipate needing for your project. The FSRDC administrator can provide additional guidance on proposal development and information on potential project fees.
3. Work with the FSRDC administrator during several months to develop a proposal according to the requirements of the US Census Bureau. For additional information about this process, visit https://www.census.gov/topics/research/guidance/restricted-use-microdata/standard-application-process.html. Generally, each proposal is required to demonstrate:
   1. Potential to benefit Census Bureau data programs
   2. Scientific merit
   3. Evidence of feasibility
   4. Clear need for nonpublic data
   5. Minimal risk of disclosure
4. Obtain Special Sworn Status (SSS), which involves a detailed background clearance. To be eligible to apply for SSS, a researcher must be a US citizen or foreign national with three of the past five years residency in the United States and currently live in the United States and have an affiliation with a US institution. The process takes several months. SSS application materials will be provided after the proposal has been approved.
5. Work in the RDC lab to complete research. Research projects generally have a timeline of about two to five years.
6. Submit results for disclosure avoidance review. Cleared results will be emailed to the researcher by the US Census Bureau.

Steps for Developing a Proposal using Partner Agencies' Restricted Data

1. Visit the FSRDC webpage (https://www.census.gov/about/adrm/fsrdc/partner-and-collaborating-agencies.html) for a list of partner and collaborating agencies that make their restricted data available through the FSRDC network.
2. Follow the links on the webpage for proposal development instructions and fees for the respective partner agency.
3. Send a brief email to the Atlanta FSRDC administrator inquiring about any lab fees that might be involved in using the partner agencies' data in the FSRDC.
4. Submit a proposal to the partner agency for review.
5. Once approved, obtain Special Sworn Status (SSS), which involves a detailed background clearance. To be eligible to apply for SSS, a researcher must be a US citizen or foreign national with three of the past five years residency in the United States and currently live in the United States and have an affiliation with a US institution. The process takes several months.
6. Work in the RDC lab to complete research.
7. Submit results for disclosure avoidance review. Cleared results will be emailed to the researcher by the partner agency.