PBPP Approval Pathway
Find out if your project requires approval from a Public Benefit and Privacy Panel.
Research Data Access Pathway
Find more detail on the scope of the Research Data Access Pathway.
Research Data Access Pathway
Please note: this pathway was previously called the Researcher Access Service (RAS) Approval Pathway.
After you submit your enquiry, a member of the eDRIS team will assess your project against the criteria below to determine if it suits the Research Data Access Pathway. Applications that fall outside the scope of this pathway will progress through another relevant pathway, such as the PBPP Approval Pathway or via one or more Regional Safe Havens.
Details of all projects approved through the Research Data Access Pathway are published on our Data Use Register.
Currently, the scope of the Research Data Access Pathway covers projects that derive their study population and linked data from nine of Public Health Scotland’s most frequently used datasets. In addition to this requirement, applications will be evaluated against the following criteria:
Your project will progress through this pathway if: |
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You have funding in place to cover the costs of the data provision |
Your project lead and research team are affiliated with an approved organisation |
You have successfully applied for either provisional or full researcher accreditation through the ONS (mandatory from 30 October 2025) |
You, or your supervisor, have full researcher accreditation status (mandatory from 30 October 2025) |
The purpose of your project is clear |
The public benefit of your project is clear |
The research proposal conforms to the UKSA Data Ethics Principles |
Your research questions can be addressed using the 9 datasets available through this pathway |
Your study population and linked data can be derived from the 9 datasets available through this pathway |
Your project expects to access data through the Scottish National Safe Haven |
The results and findings of your project will be published in the public domain |
Consent is provided for your project to be included on a public data use register |
Your research methodology falls within the scope of the Research Data Access Pathway |
Your project will not progress through this pathway if: |
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You do not have funding in place to cover the costs of the data provision |
Your project lead and research team are affiliated with or sponsored by a commercial organisation |
You don’t have researcher accreditation status |
Your researcher accreditation status is provisional and you don’t have a supervisor with full researcher accreditation on the project |
The purpose of your project is unclear |
The public benefit of your project is unclear |
The research proposal does not conform to the UKSA Data Ethics Principles |
Your research questions cannot be addressed using the 9 datasets available through this pathway |
Linkage is required to datasets outwith the 9 available through this pathway |
The project expects to access data outwith the Scottish National Safe Haven |
Disclosive research outputs are required |
Consent has not been provided for the project to be included on a public data use register |
Your research methodology includes artificial intelligence (AI), intergenerational linkage (e.g. mother-baby linkage) or the use of synthetic data |
Preparing your application
Think your project is suitable for the Research Data Access Pathway? Read our guidance on how to prepare your application.
Approvals and amendments
Applications following the Research Data Access Pathway will be evaluated by the Research Data Access Pathway Approval Panel instead of a Public Benefit and Privacy Panel (PBPP). This aims to cut down on the time it takes for researchers to access their data. Please note, however, that if a project changes significantly in scope after it has been approved by the Research Data Access Pathway Approval Panel, you might be asked to submit a new application through another relevant pathway, such as the PBPP Approval Pathway or one or more Regional Safe Havens.
The Research Data Access Pathway Approval Panel is made up of representatives from Research Data Scotland and Public Health Scotland. They are responsible for confirming that an application has met all criteria for Pathway eligibility and that the proposed research is in the public good.
Learn more about the Research Data Access Pathway Approval Panel and its members.
What are your data needs?
Answer a few short questions to determine whether we can help you with your project.
Related content
Research Data Access Pathway datasets and variables
Find out which datasets and variables fall within the scope of the Research Data Access Pathway.
Continue your application
Already have an application in progress? Find status updates on the Researcher Access Service.
About the Digital Economy Act
Research Data Scotland (RDS) is aligning with the DEA to simplify and accelerate access to public sector data for research while maintaining the highest standards of privacy, security, and public trust.
About the Public Impact Advisory Group (PIAG) pilot
A new Public Impact Advisory Group (PIAG) will provide early feedback on Research Data Access Pathway applications.
Help shape our Researcher Access Service
Interested in supporting the development of the Researcher Access Service and helping us shape our work?
