Researchers need to consult with an RDC Administrator on the availability of particular data sets before writing research proposals.
The Rocky Mountain Research Data Center (RMRDC) provides access to microdata collected by several different federal statistical agencies. A detailed listing of available restricted data sets from all federal agencies is provided at the ResearchDataGov Web Portal which includes links to documentation and survey sponsors.
Census Bureau
To access restricted data from the U.S. Census Bureau please see their proposal guidelines.
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Demographic Data: Censuses and surveys of households and individuals. These data are not public-use files. They include complete geography (in many cases down to the block). Items such as income are not top-coded. Individual identifiers such as name, address, and social security number are not included.
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National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH): A household survey that produces national and state-level data on the physical and emotional health of children 0 - 17 years old in the United States.
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Economic Data Data: Censuses and surveys of business establishments and firms. With very few exceptions, no public use files exist for these surveys.
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Linked Business and Household Data (LEHD): Uses modern statistical and computing techniques to combine federal and state administrative data on employers and employees with core Census Bureau censuses and surveys while protecting the confidentiality of people and firms that provide the data.
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University Research Funding Data: University research funding from all sources for participating universities. Includes principle investigators, post-docs, graduate students, and contracting firms for each funded research project.
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National Science Foundation (NSF) Data: The National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) within the National Science Foundation (NSF) grants licenses to securely access restricted-use microdata files. Includes Early Career Doctorate Survey (ECDS), National Survey of College Graduates (NSCG), National Survey of Recent College Graduates (NSRCG), Scientists and Engineers Statistical Data System (SESTAT) Integrated File, Survey of Doctorate Recipients (SDR)/SDR Longitudinal (LSDR), Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED)/Doctorate Record File (DRF).
Health Data
- The RMRDC enables access to restricted data from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS); the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ); and SAMHSA Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality.
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A detailed description of the NCHS restricted data is provided here: NCHS Restricted Data; how to gain access through the FSRDCs can be found here: Federal Statistical RDC; and read about restricted-access fee structure here: NCHS data fees
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The AHRQ provides restricted access to the Medical Expenditures Panel Survey (MEPS) and more about how to access the FSRDCs can be found here: Federal Statistical RD
- SAMHSA Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality provides restricted access to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health through the FSRDCs. You can read more about it on the SAMHSA website (link to Research Data Center (RDC) (samhsa.gov) and they use NCHS data fee (link to RDC - Fees and Invoicing (cdc.gov)) charging structure.