Using the MRDC

Persons wishing to conduct research at a Federal Statistical Research Data Center (RDC) must submit a research proposal.  To learn more about the  available data and submit a research proposal, visit the ResearchDataGov website.

The MRDC is a joint venture between the Census Bureau and the University of Michigan and is supported by funding from the University of Michigan and Michigan State University. Access to the MRDC is provided at no charge to University of Michigan and Michigan State University faculty and graduate students. Other researchers should inquire to the MRDC for fee and subsidy information.

Researchers who wish to develop a proposal to conduct research using Census Bureau data at the MRDC should first contact the RDC administrator, RDC administrator email. The researcher should discuss the proposed project with the administrator to determine whether the research fits with the Bureau’s mandate, is feasible, is likely to provide benefits to Census Bureau programs under Title 13 of the U.S. Code, is designed to produce model based statistical estimates, and that the research output will not pose undue risk of disclosing information about an individual survey respondent.

Once the RDC administrator and the researcher have agreed it is sensible to proceed, the researcher submits a completed proposal on the Standard Application Process (SAP) portal, accessible on the ResearchDataGov website.

For resources on preparing a proposal, visit our proposal guidelines page.