The U.S. Census Bureau offers study tours for officials of statistical or planning agencies, data processing centers, and similar organizations. These short-term programs are especially well suited for senior staff whose needs would not be met by regular Census Bureau training programs, as well as those who cannot afford to be away from their offices for an extended period for various reasons.

The average study tour lasts one to two weeks. Study tours usually focus on selected aspects of economic or demographic survey-census operations. Such topics include a series of specially arranged technical consultations on project planning, field operations, budgeting, quality control, sampling, data processing, mapping, and statistical organizations. Most study tours consist of several visits to other governmental and nongovernmental agencies in order to provide a complete treatment of the subject. Although these programs are most frequently conducted in Washington, D.C., they frequently involve travel to other parts of the United States.

Participants need to have funding to cover all costs associated with a study tour. The Census Bureau cannot provide funding for participants, nor can it make recommendations to a sponsoring agency on behalf of a prospective participant.