The University of Chicago Becker Friedman Institute for Economics (BFI) serves as a hub for cutting-edge economic thought and research across the entire UChicago economics community. BFI recognizes the importance of providing researchers with access to the tools needed to perform ground-breaking research while also translating new insights into real-world impact through outreach and engagement. As part of its support for faculty, BFI issues data acquisition grants to stimulate the development of new research. Grants support the acquisition, management, and maintenance of specialized research data sets used in current and future data research projects in economics.
All proposals for data acquisition grants must include a PI-eligible faculty member from the University of Chicago. Graduate students at the University of Chicago may apply for grants for their own research, but in such cases their faculty adviser must provide a letter of support and indicate willingness to remain involved in a supervisory role throughout the lifetime of the project. Preference will be given to PhD students who have completed required coursework. Proposals of all kinds may include collaborators from outside the University of Chicago.
Administrative Requirements
The terms of the grant are as follows:
Data Use Agreement: The University of Chicago and the data provider must enter into a Data Use Agreement (DUA) to acquire and access data for the research project; University Research Administration (URA) must review for confirmation that the terms of the agreement do not restrict creation and dissemination of knowledge, or contain other unacceptable terms pertaining to licensing, security, or other data restrictions. Funding is restricted for data obtained contractually through a DUA signed by the University's authorized official.
Data publication: BFI will work with grantees and URA to secure university-wide licensing when possible. Our goal is to share all data acquired and generated with the aid of the grant as appropriate and as permitted within the restrictions of the DUA. BFI will grant exceptions in cases where legal or ethical reasons preclude data release.
Progress reporting: Researchers awarded funding for data acquisition grants will be required to provide an annual progress report to align with internal reporting requirements. Requests for additional funding will be contingent on the progress of the project and the probability of concrete data-driven results within the extension period.
Research publicity: BFI expects to publicize all research results flowing from research publications associated with data acquired through these grants. BFI policy and communications staff will work closely with researchers to disseminate research results.
Working Paper Series: Grantees are expected to disseminate research through the BFI Working Paper Series at https://bfi.uchicago.edu/working-papers/ or through email (bfiworkingpapers@uchicago.edu).
Participate in activities: Grantees may be requested to participate in BFI activities when possible. Activities may include workshops or presentations to BFI donors and potential partners.
Credit Becker Friedman Institute for Economics: Any presentations and publications intended for the public domain, including academic papers, policy briefs, press releases, blogs, and newsletters that emerge from the project should credit BFI with the following text: “This research is funded by the University of Chicago Becker Friedman Institute for Economics.” Wherever possible the official logo of BFI should also be included.
