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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): NSF Restricted Access Research Data Centers (NSF 15-586)

1) What is the NSF "Restricted Access Research Data Centers" funding opportunity (NSF 15-586)?

It is an NSF funding opportunity that supports the creation of new Research Data Centers (RDCs) that operate as secure U.S. Census Bureau facilities. The focus is on expanding national infrastructure so qualified external researchers can work with confidential Census Bureau microdata in a controlled environment that complies with legal and statutory confidentiality requirements.

2) What is an RDC in practical terms?

An RDC is not an open data lab. It is a tightly managed, secure location where approved researchers can access restricted datasets for statistical research while protecting respondent privacy and meeting strict operational and security requirements.

3) What is the main purpose of this program?

The central purpose is to expand the national infrastructure that enables qualified external researchers to conduct statistical research using confidential Census Bureau microdata, while maintaining required confidentiality protections.

4) What kinds of activities does NSF expect these awards to support?

NSF indicates these awards are intended specifically to cover start-up costs associated with launching new RDC facilities. The opportunity is geared toward initial establishment rather than long-term operations.

5) Are these RDCs run by NSF or the U.S. Census Bureau?

The RDCs referenced here are U.S. Census Bureau facilities. NSF provides grant support to help establish new sites, but the RDCs operate as secure Census Bureau facilities and must follow Census operational and security expectations.

6) Is there a required step before submitting a proposal to NSF?

Yes. Prospective applicants are required to engage with the U.S. Census Bureau before submitting anything to NSF. The solicitation describes this as a key gating step: potential investigators must first contact Census to discuss feasibility and the possibility of sponsorship for an RDC, and only then proceed with an NSF proposal.

7) Why is contacting the Census Bureau first described as a "gating step"?

Because RDCs are Census Bureau facilities with strict operational and security expectations. The solicitation makes clear that feasibility and potential sponsorship need to be discussed with Census before an NSF submission moves forward.

8) What is the funding amount available under this solicitation?

NSF anticipated making about three awards with an estimated total funding amount of $300,000 for the competition.

9) What is the expected size of an individual award?

Individual award sizes were expected to range from $100,000 (award floor) to $300,000 (award ceiling).

10) How many awards did NSF anticipate making?

NSF anticipated making approximately three awards.

11) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No cost sharing or matching requirement was stated. Organizations were not required by the solicitation to provide a formal cost-share commitment as a condition of eligibility.

12) If cost sharing is not required, do applicants still need to show readiness to host an RDC?

Yes. While formal cost sharing was not required, the opportunity notes that applicants may still need to demonstrate institutional capacity and readiness to host and sustain an RDC in a way that is consistent with Census requirements.

13) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility was limited to U.S.-based nonprofit and academic institutions engaged in education or research activities.

14) Are universities and colleges eligible?

Yes. Eligible applicants included universities and accredited two- and four-year colleges (including community colleges) with a campus located in the United States, applying on behalf of their faculty members.

15) Are non-academic nonprofits eligible?

Yes. The solicitation allowed proposals from non-profit, non-academic organizations such as independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies, and similar U.S. organizations associated with educational or research activities.

16) The opportunity category says "Others" - what does that mean here?

While the opportunity category labeled eligible applicants broadly as "Others (see text field...)," the detailed eligibility language narrows eligibility to the specific U.S.-based nonprofit and academic organization types described in the solicitation.

17) What NSF program area and CFDA listing is associated with this opportunity?

The solicitation is described as a discretionary grant program within the NSF activity category of Science and Technology and other Research and Development, administered under CFDA 47.075 (Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences).

18) What are the key dates for this solicitation?

The posted date and creation date were July 2, 2015. The original and current closing date was September 30, 2015. The opportunity was later archived on November 1, 2017.

19) Is this opportunity still open?

Based on the information provided, the closing date was September 30, 2015, and the opportunity was archived on November 1, 2017.

20) Where can applicants find the full solicitation details?

Applicants were directed to the NSF publication associated with the solicitation, identified as NSF Publication / Funding Opportunity Number 15-586.

21) What should an applicant do if they have technical issues accessing the opportunity through Grants.gov?

For technical issues accessing the announcement through Grants.gov, NSF provided the Grants.gov support email: grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov.

22) What if an applicant has problems linking to the NSF funding announcement?

The announcement noted that applicants could contact NSF if they experienced problems linking to the funding announcement.

23) What is the overarching goal of funding new RDC sites?

The overall goal is to expand secure research infrastructure so more researchers can conduct high-value statistical analyses using restricted Census microdata, while maintaining strict confidentiality protections and complying with the legal framework governing access to these data.