In some circumstances users may need to apply to obtain and use HRS restricted data on their own secure systems under what we call a traditional license. If you have determined that traditional license is required please follow these steps, many of which are identical to the VDI application process.
If you already have access with a traditional license, see the Post Application Activities page for details on modifying or renewing your agreement.
Application Process
Step 1. Submit Application
Submit the RDA Application (Traditional License) form to apply for a Restricted Data Agreement (RDA) to access HRS Restricted Data through a Traditional License. If you have not already done so, you will need to create a website account.
The application can not be saved before submitting, so make sure you have the following information and documentation before you begin:
- Project title and research abstract
- A short description of each of the following:
- The HRS Restricted data products and variables you intend to use in your research, including planned data analyses
- Why the public data are not adequate for your research purposes
- How the results you plan to export or publish will comply with the requirements of disclosure limitation review
- Proof of current U.S. federal funding held by the Principal Investigator. The Principal Investigator must also be affiliated with the receiving institution, and must have a position or title equivalent to a permanent tenured or tenure-track faculty member.
- Information on the study team. All study team members must have a formal affiliation with the receiving institution. Include the following information:
- name
- role on project
- business address, email, and phone number
- current CV, in .pdf format
- indicate if the team member requires access to the data
- A completed Data Protection Plan, in .pdf format.
- See Creating Your HRS Data Protection Plan for more information on creating your Data Protection Plan
- For Standalone Workstations:
Include a completed Traditional License Restricted Data Security Plan Checklist for each workstation, in .pdf format - For Networked Workstations:
Include a completed HRS RDA NIST 800-171 User Tracking Spreadsheet, in .xlsx format. - For MedRIC Enclave:
Select this option only if your project is NIA-funded, and you are requesting HRS-CMS linked data. Include a completed HRS RDA NIST 800-171 User Tracking Spreadsheet, in .xlsx format.
- Obtain from your institution:
- Institutional Federalwide Assurance (FWA) Number
- Institutional Policies on data confidentiality, in .pdf format
- Documentation of Full Board or Expedited IRB review and approval of your research plan, in .pdf format
Step 2. HRS Reviews Application
HRS will review the application and contact you if additional information is needed, or with a preliminary approval to seek IRB and institutional signature (see Step 3). HRS will assign a restricted data agreement (RDA) number, which you will use in all future correspondence.
Step 3. Researcher applies for IRB Approval and Institutional Contracting Authority Signature
Once you have preliminary approval, submit your research and data security plans to your Institutional Review Board for either full board or expedited review. Exempt is not accepted.
Depending on your institutional practices, in parallel, you should also submit the HRS Confidentiality Agreement to your institutional Contracting Authority to review and sign.
E-mail both your proof of IRB approval and the signed Confidentiality Agreement to hrsrdaapplication@umich.edu.
4. HRS Finalizes Application and Sends Data
The completed application is reviewed and approved and a counter-signed copy of the Confidentiality Agreement is sent to you by courier along with the approval letter and data requested in encrypted format.