The Census Bureau maintains and enhances confidential microdata for use in social science research. These data are from Census Bureau censuses and surveys of businesses and households, linked employer-employee data, linked graduate-employer data, linked researcher-employer data, and administrative records from federal and state agencies and other sources. Information about selected restricted-use datasets can be found in the links below. These datasets are available to qualified researchers at federal, state, local, and tribal government agencies, academic institutions, and other entities (as appropriate) with approved projects at secure Federal Statistical Research Data Centers (FSRDCs) or, where authorized, through the secure Remote Access Program.

You may apply for access to restricted-use microdata in the FSRDCs via the Standard Application Process (SAP) Portal at www.ResearchDataGov.org. Information about applying for access to restricted-use Census Bureau microdata in the FSRDCs using the SAP portal is available on the Census Bureau’s Standard Application Process website.

Note: the SAP Portal has the definitive list of restricted-use Census Bureau datasets available to potential FSRDC researchers. Datasets are added and removed from the SAP portal as their availability status changes.

Assistance from an FSRDC administrator will greatly reduce the need for future revisions to your application. If you are unsure which FSRDC to contact or have a general question, please reach out to the Census Bureau at ced.fsrdc.info@census.gov.