# 2025-22123: NSF Sets Up Database for Confidential Data Requests 2025-22123, Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records, is a Federal Register notice from National Science Foundation published 2025-12-05, effective 2025-12-05 (as of 2026-06-08). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-22123 - As of: 2026-06-08 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Document number: 2025-22123 - Title: Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records - Type: Notice - Agencies: National Science Foundation - Citation: 90 FR 56189 - Published: 2025-12-05 - Effective: 2025-12-05 - Comments close: not stated - Significant: no - Touches household money: no - Regulation identifier numbers: none - Last updated: 2026-06-08 ## In one line NSF Sets Up Database for Confidential Data Requests ## Summary The National Science Foundation (NSF) is launching a new online system to handle requests from researchers who want access to secret government data for studies and stats. This new system starts December 5, 2025, with rules kicking in January 5, 2026, unless public feedback changes things. If you’re a researcher or data user, this means a smoother, clearer way to apply for data access—no extra costs announced. ## Abstract The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is establishing a new agency system of records in connection with its online Standard Application Process (SAP) for collecting and maintaining requests from researchers or other individuals applying for access to confidential data assets from participating federal agencies and units for evidence- building, statistical purposes. ## Effects PRIA read - New Standard Application Portal for Researchers: benefit, medium. The NSF is creating an online Standard Application Process (SAP) portal to collect and manage requests from researchers and other individuals who want access to confidential federal data. The system is effective December 5, 2025, and the routine uses take effect January 5, 2026, unless changed by p… - Personal Data Collected for Applications: cost, low. The SAP will collect application data including name, email, phone, institutional affiliation, citizenship and U.S. residency status, security clearance status, and project proposals. This information will be used to evaluate applicant suitability and to decide whether to grant or deny access to co… - Public Reporting of Application Details: cost, low. Under 44 U.S.C. 3583(a)(6), the SAP will publicly report details for each application and approved project: agencies involved, requested data assets, project duration, method of access, application number; and for approved projects, title, abstract, approval date, proposed duration, and the princip… - Disclosure to Contractors and Other Entities: cost, low. NSF may disclose SAP records to contractors, participating agency contractors, application reviewers, auditors, law enforcement, and other federal entities when relevant, and records may be stored at contractor locations or government-certified cloud storage. Routine uses list these categories expl… - Record Retention and Possible Extended Storage: cost, low. SAP records are governed by NARA-approved records schedules (General Records Schedule GRS 4.2) and the portal provides for disposal after two (2) years, though individual agencies may authorize longer retention as their business needs require. Records are stored in electronic media and may be retai… - Technical Safeguards and Audit Logging: benefit, low. The SAP portal includes administrative, technical, and physical safeguards administered by the portal contractor with NSF oversight. The system logs user actions (login, logout, session termination), logs ingest actions tied to user email and trace data, and these logs are read-only and backed up t… ## Related documents - [2026-20332](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20332): Proposal Review Committee Name Changes, 2026-10-05 - [2026-20339](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20339): Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request, 2026-10-05 - [2026-20236](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20236): Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request, 2026-10-02 - [2026-18351](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-18351): Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request, 2026-09-09 - [2026-17556](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-17556): Notice of Intent To Reinstate Information Collection, 2026-08-28 - [2026-17415](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-17415): Agency Information Collection Activities: Request for Comment Regarding Common Disclosure Forms for the Biographical Sketch and Current and…, 2026-08-26 ## Sources - [2025-22123 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/05/2025-22123/privacy-act-of-1974-system-of-records) - [2025-22123 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-12-05/pdf/2025-22123.pdf) ## Related - [Previous: 2025-22122, Records Governing Off-the-Record Communications](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-22122) - [Next: 2025-22124, Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request;…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-22124) - [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-22123 (as of 2026-06-08).