European Central Bank launches pilot project for research access to confidential statistical data

In the pilot project, the European Central Bank is granting research access to anonymised data on individual banks in the euro area.  Balance sheet information for all euro area banks and bank interest rates and business volumes are the available data sets.

The pilot project will test the effectiveness and convenience of different access modes. After the end of the pilot project, the potential establishment of a permanent infrastructure for research access will be assessed.

For the purposes of the pilot project, data access will be managed by the central banks of Austria, Germany, Italy, Portugal and Spain.

Researchers interested in participating in the pilot project must submit their applications and all supporting documents before 15 June 2025. The pilot project is open to researchers who are affiliated with scientific research bodies accredited with Eurostat for microdata access. Up to ten research projects will be supported as part of the pilot project.

Questions regarding this project can be addressed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with ‘Microdata access’ in the subject line.

For full information on the pilot project, please see the website of the European Central Bank.