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Data access pricing

Find information on costs associated with applying for data access through the Research Data Access and PBPP Approval Pathways.

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eDRIS pricing model

Pricing for projects progressing through both the Research Data Access Pathway and the PBPP Approval Pathway covers the cost of delivering data access services. This includes researcher support, data processing, linkage, governance and access infrastructure. Researchers are not charged for the data itself.

Both the Research Data Access Pathway and the PBPP Approval Pathway operate a component-based tiered pricing structure based on the type of organisation researchers are applying from (e.g. public sector, academia, charity, commercial, industry). Whether a research project is routed through the Research Data Access Pathway or the PBPP Approval Pathway, the component pricing model remains consistent though individual costs within the model may vary.

Researchers will only pay for the support they require, receiving a bespoke cost estimate following the submission of an enquiry.

All pricing is under continuous review and actual costs will be agreed with the researcher during the application process. Please be aware that researchers are required to have funding in place before an application can be submitted for Panel approval.  

Amendments

Please note that, for the Research Data Access Pathway, the addition of research questions after a project has already been approved by the Panel will not incur an additional cost. For projects progressing through the PBPP Approval Pathway, however, additional questions added as an amendment will be charged.

For both pathways, project amendments falling into the following three categories will also be priced as additional components:

  • Addition of approved researchers

  • Extension of project end date

  • Addition of or changes to variables or datasets

Preparing your application

Think your project is suitable for the Research Data Access Pathway? Read our guidance for how to prepare your application.

Find application guidance
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Research data access pricing examples

Example 1

Up to four (4) datasets and two (2) researchers requiring access to the Scottish National Safe Haven for one (1) year: 

NHS or Public Sector body price

Academic Institution or Third Sector organisation price

£11,588 (ex. VAT)

£15,064 (ex. VAT)

Example 2

Up to four (4) datasets and two (2) researchers requiring access to the Scottish National Safe Haven for one (1) year. Includes 'medium' level NRS indexing work: 

NHS or Public Sector body price

Academic Institution or Third Sector organisation price

£38,626 (ex. VAT)

£50,213 (ex. VAT)

Example 3

Up to five (5) datasets and two (2) researchers requiring access to the Scottish National Safe Haven for one (1) year. Includes standard CHI linkage by the PHS CHILI team: 

NHS or Public Sector body price

Academic Institution or Third Sector organisation price

£14,057 (ex. VAT)

£18,274 (ex. VAT)

 

Example 4

Up to four (4) datasets and two (2) researchers requiring access to the Scottish National Safe Haven for two (2) years. Includes the use of the Container Execution Service: 

NHS or Public Sector body price

Academic Institution or Third Sector organisation price

£20,746 (ex. VAT)

£25,844 (ex. VAT)

Example 5

Up to four (4) datasets with no use of the Scottish National Safe Haven: 

NHS or Public Sector body price

Academic Institution or Third Sector organisation price

£9,270 (ex. VAT)

£12,051 (ex. VAT)

What are your data needs?

Answer a few short questions to determine whether we can help you with your project.

Begin an enquiry
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Pricing changes from April 2025

Pricing for the Research Data Access Pathway has increased since the 1st of April 2025. This was a joint decision made by Research Data Scotland (RDS) and our partners to ensure the long-term sustainability of our services. Our goal is to create a pricing model where charges cover the full cost of data provisioning, and each individual project contributes to the costs of running the Scottish National Safe Haven. This allows us to continue to invest in improving our service and scaling in the future.

This price increase was a one-off step change in pricing structure to bring our system to a sustainable level. 

For more information on the decision to update our pricing, please read our blog post: "Changes to prices for accessing Scottish datasets."

Help shape our Researcher Access Service

Interested in supporting the development of the Researcher Access Service and helping us shape our work?

Join our engagement contact list
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Related content

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Preparing your Research Data Access Pathway application

Find guidance on the how to submit an application through the Research Data Access Pathway and which documents to prepare.

Find application guidance
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Research Data Access Pathway datasets

Find out which datasets and variables are available through the Research Data Access Pathway.

View datasets and variables
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Research Data Access Pathway Approval Panel

Find out more about the Research Data Access Pathway Approval Panel, including its members.

Meet the Panel

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