TRAC Fellows Program

To facilitate data access for scholarly research, we have set up the TRAC Fellows program. Fellows can be appointed as Fellows In-Residence or as Outside Fellows. How to apply to become a TRAC Fellow and the terms of appointments are briefly described below:

1. Appointments as TRAC Fellows are limited to researchers of subscribing organizations that have an annual organizational site license. If collaborating researchers are from different organizations, each organization must be a subscriber. If during the term of appointment, the organization does not renew their annual subscription, the TRAC Fellows appointment automatically terminates.
2. To apply for data access for scholarly research, submit a brief research plan including the proposed analysis, a description of the data needed and how it will be used to support the questions sought to be addressed by the research. Also include the project’s proposed beginning and end dates, and a list of collaborators and co-authors with their affiliations. If some period in-residence is desired, specify the proposed period and any additional research support needed.
3. TRAC reviews proposals on an on-going basis and will notify the applicant(s) whether any additional information is needed. The purpose of this review is:
   1. a. To assist in identifying relevant information we have given the questions the research is designed to investigate that the applicant(s) may not be aware of;
   2. b. To inform the applicant(s) of known limitations or issues in the data they are seeking to address their questions so they can make an informed decision of whether they believe the data despite these limitations would still be useful.
   3. c. To advise the applicant of what existing extracts are available at no charge that might be useful, and what additional costs would be involved if new specialized data extracts might need to be developed for them, or other specialized services are sought. (Since we must be self-sustaining, any fees are used to help defray the expenditure of our time required to develop new extracts and are kept as low as possible.)
4. Special data access will be provided with the following understanding:
   1. a. Use will be limited to only that described in the research plan;
   2. b. Data access will not be shared with anyone not listed as a collaborator or co-author in the application;
   3. c. Use (along with continued possession) of all data for the project will terminate automatically if the organization(s) cease to be TRACfed subscriber(s) or the TRAC Fellow no longer holds a position at that organization.
5. TRAC Fellows receiving special data access agree to provide (i) a 1-2 page synopsis of their research project, and (ii) upon completion, a synopsis including findings, both of which can be published on our web site. At their discretion, TRAC Fellows may also provide a link to a working paper on another web site, and citations to publications resulting from this research.
6. If TRAC Fellows decide they would like to undertake a new project or extend their research to examine additional issues, they are welcome to submit a further proposal at any time. This allows continued access to the specialized data extracts they have and/or different data to address additional research questions.

For more information, use our Inquiry Form or email us at: crdl@syr.edu