What happens after the licence application?

Application processing stage

When an application for a user licence has been submitted, we carry out an initial inspection. If necessary, we ask for additional information or appendices. You should respond to requests for supplementation as soon as possible so that the processing of the application goes smoothly. After the initial inspection, the application goes to the processing queue.

When the application is in the actual processing, the processor assesses the dataset and asks for additional information, if necessary.

The time of processing depends on the extent and complexity of the datasets used in the research project. In straightforward cases the processing of an application takes around one to two weeks. The processing of annual extractions, tailoring of data and more demanding datasets can take longer, even several months. If the view of the Board of Statistical Ethics is needed, the processing may take longer.

When a user licence has been granted, we notify about the granted licence by email.

Preparing the agreement

We prepare an agreement with the researcher about the research service. The research service agreement specifies for each dataset:

  • content
  • price
  • delivery mode
  • delivery schedule.

The delivery modes are the use of the dataset through the FIONA remote access system and in certain cases release to the researcher or to Findata's remote access system.

The research service agreement enters into force once both parties have signed it.

Preparing and delivering the dataset to the researcher

After the agreement has been drawn up we form the research dataset at Statistics Finland and supply it as agreed to the researcher.

If the researcher's own or other authorities' datasets are to be combined with the dataset to be supplied, they must be delivered to Statistics Finland at this stage. The datasets are usually delivered through the data transfer service. In order for the dataset to be transferred correctly, the datasets must be named according to the instructions. Read the instructions carefully, because misnamed datasets will not be transferred correctly.

Instructions for delivering a dataset to Statistics Finland (PDF)

The dataset becomes available to customers in the simplest cases in one to two weeks, in the most complicated cases in months. If datasets from other authorities are also delivered to the Fiona remote access system, the datasets are pseudonymised at Statistics Finland and transferred to the remote access system.

Invoicing

We send an invoice for the user licence, dataset and remote access use as agreed according to the price list.