Resources
Application Requirements
ICPSR's Data Access Request System (IDARS)
Secure download and RSDA applications are submitted electronically to NACJD via IDARS, ICPSR's Data Access Request System. Expand the text below, or download our IDARS checklist, for more information about our IDARS application requirements.
- Investigator Information. Provide the name and contact information of the project PI. The PI must hold a PhD or other terminal degree, and hold a faculty position at a university or research position at a research institution.
- Research Staff Information. Provide name(s), email address(es), physical location(s) and computer detail(s) for all students, staff, or researchers who will have access to the restricted data as part of the research project. All research staff listed must be affiliated with the same institution as the project PI. Please see our FAQs for more information about collaborating with researchers from multiple institutions.
- Research Description. Provide a brief abstract describing your proposed research questions and specific variables of interest, as well as justification for why the requested data are required to answer your research questions.
- Data Selection. Select all studies needed for analysis.
- Data Format. Rank your preferred data formats. Most data are available in Stata, tab-delimited file, SAS, SPSS, or R.
- Confidential Data Security Plan. ICPSR currently offers three options for secure data storage: encrypted external hard drive, standalone computer, or private network/server that is appropriately managed by your institution. Please select an appropriate plan, then read/agree to the plan's security requirements. If you have questions about the security requirements outlined within the application portal, please contact us at icpsr-help@umich.edu
- IRB Review Documentation. The Institutional Review Board of your institution must review your proposal to analyze NACJD restricted data. This is not necessarily the same as a full IRB review, and "exempt" or "not human subjects" determinations may be accepted. Please upload an official letter from your IRB's office indicating that a responsible officer has reviewed the request and found the project's terms of use for the requested data to be in compliance with or exempt from its human subject and confidentiality rules. If your institution does not have an IRB, please see our FAQs for more information.
- Additional Forms. For all NIJ-sponsored research data, applicants must complete, sign, and upload an NIJ Privacy Certificate. A blank copy of the privacy certificate is provided within the application, and includes an appendix containing detailed guidelines for completing all sections of the privacy certificate. Studies sponsored by BJS are excluded from this requirement.
- Final Signatures. The Restricted Data Use Agreement (RDUA) must be signed by the PI listed in the application, as well as by an authorized institutional representative. The institutional representative must have the authority to enter into legal contracts and agreements on the institution's behalf. Typically, this is a president, provost, or designated individual in a grants/contracts office.
- Pledge of Confidentiality. The PI and any research staff on the application will receive an email prompting the electronic signature of ICPSR's confidentiality pledge once NACJD has reviewed and approved the application. Once all pledges have been signed, the request will be formally approved, and the data will be sent shortly thereafter.
Virtual Data Enclave (VDE)
VDE applications are submitted electronically via VDEManage, ICPSR's VDE application portal. Expand the text below, or download our VDE checklist, for more information about our VDE application requirements.
- Principal Investigator Information. Provide the name and contact information of the project PI. The PI must hold a PhD or other terminal degree, and hold a faculty position at a university or research position at a research institution.
- Project Administrator Information. Provide the name and contact information of the person who will be responsible for all administrative aspects of the project. This may be the project PI, or another member of the research team.
- Abstract. Please provide a brief abstract describing your proposed research questions and specific variables of interest, as well as justification for why the requested restricted data are required to answer your research questions.
- Data Selection. Select all studies needed for analysis.
- Additional Documentation must be submitted to NACJD staff via email after the
project
has been initiated within VDEManage:
- IRB Documentation. The Institutional Review Board of your institution must review your proposal to analyze NACJD restricted data. This is not necessarily the same as a full IRB review, and exempt or "not human subjects" determinations may be accepted. Please provide an official letter from your IRB's office indicating that a responsible officer has reviewed the request and found the project's terms of use for the requested data to be in compliance with or exempt from its human subject and confidentiality rules. If your institution does not have an IRB, please see our FAQs for more information.
- CVs. Please provide a resume or CV for each researcher who will be accessing restricted data in the VDE.
- Restricted Data Use Agreement (RDUA). Please provide a fully executed RDUA. The RDUA must be signed by the PI listed in the application, as well as by an authorized institutional representative. The institutional representative must have the authority to enter into legal contracts and agreements on the institution's behalf. Typically, this is a president, provost, or designated individual in a grants/contracts office.
- Additional RDUAs (if applicable). If researchers from multiple institutions are included in the application, please provide an additional RDUA for each institution that is represented.
Physical Data Enclave (PDE)
PDE applications are submitted to NACJD via email. Information about PDE application requirements can be found on the ICPSR enclave webpage. Please contact icpsr-help@umich.edu for more information about the NACJD PDE application process.