Statement on the planned increase in fees for the use of research data

The Scientific Advisory Group ((WBK) of the Research Data Centers of the Federal and State Statistical Offices (FDZ) of the Federal Statistical Office (DESTATIS), of which Prof. Dr. Cygan-Rehm is a member, has published a statement on the planned increase in fees for data use and services.

In this statement, the WBK urgently warns against the expected strongly negative effects of massive fee increases on cutting-edge empirical research, evidence-based policy advice and the promotion of young scientists in Germany.

The statement (in german) is available on the DESTATIS website.

In a subsequent statement, the German Data Forum (Rat für Sozial- und Wirtschaftsdaten, RatSWD) also expresses its concern about the impending fee increases at the FDZs of the Federal Statistical Office. "High fees jeopardize scientific research, especially for smaller institutions," writes the RatSWD in the short message service X.