The Cross-National Equivalent File harmonizes variables across household panel surveys and provides researchers access to comparable cross-national data.
ZEW Forschungsdatenzentrum
ZEW's Research Data Centre provides external researchers with data from business and expert surveys.

About ZEW Forschungsdatenzentrum
The ZEW Research Data Centre makes selected ZEW research datasets available to external researchers. The datasets are individual-level data from ZEW business surveys and expert surveys. Access options include factually anonymized Scientific-Use-Files, formally anonymized data for work in ZEW FDZ rooms, and, since June 2023, secure Remote Access to selected data through the University of Mannheim's bwCloud. For the Mannheim Innovation Panel, absolutely anonymized Education-Use-Files are available for teaching.
Use is restricted to non-commercial basic research; data may not be used in projects carried out on behalf of third parties. Applicants must work at a publicly funded research institution, and doctoral or PhD students can also receive data. Teaching use is generally not possible except for the MIP Education-Use-Files. Data transfer follows a written application and a written contract; formally anonymized data are held on a standalone computer without network access and cannot be downloaded. The ZEW-FDZ has been accredited by the RatSWD since November 2012.
Key features
- Provides Scientific-Use-Files from ZEW business and expert surveys
- Allows application for formally anonymized data in ZEW FDZ rooms
- Offers secure Remote Access to selected data via Mannheim bwCloud
- Includes MIP Education-Use-Files for teaching
- Requires written application and contract before data transfer
- Data documentation and on-site workstation available in pilot phase
- Accredited by the RatSWD since November 2012.
- Provides Scientific-Use-Files, on-site formal anonymized data, remote access, and MIP teaching files.
- RatSWD complaint office available since July 2016 for unresolved data-use problems.
- Use limited to non-commercial basic research; third-party commissioned projects are excluded.
- Applicants must work at a publicly funded research institution.
- Teaching use generally not possible except MIP Education-Use-Files.
ZEW Forschungsdatenzentrum at a glance
- Category
- Research & Data › Open Data & Datasets
- Type
- Website
- Pricing
- Not confirmed. Check the site
- Platforms
- Web
- Open source
- Not stated
- Language
- German
- Last checked
- Oct 6, 2026 · Online when checked
- Listed
- Oct 5, 2026
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