How to create a project proposal
When you want to create a new project in the DDP App, you must first complete a project proposal. The project proposal is the formal document that forms the basis for all subsequent data orders throughout the lifetime of the project.
The project proposal is created under Projects and Data by clicking New Project Proposal. Here, you enter the title, institution, and scheme. Once this information has been provided, select OK to proceed to the project details.
Project Details
Under Project Details, you enter the key information about the project, including Purpose, Description, and Importance to society. The purpose and description together must provide a clear and precise picture of what the project examines and why the analysis is relevant.
You must also provide an overall population description and a description of external data. These descriptions should give an overall insight into which populations and data sources the project includes, without too many details. The specific population creation and documentation of external data are provided in the data order. If the project requires a full register extract, this must be indicated and justified under the population description.
In addition, you must specify the project’s end date and assign signatories to the project proposal. It is also possible to upload relevant attachments that support the content of the project.
Remember to prepare a clear and precise project proposal that provides a solid basis for the assessment and approval of the project. Please note that the text of the proposal can be edited in a resubmission at a later stage if necessary, and the project’s end date can also be changed.
Data Packages
In the project proposal, you must indicate which data packages the project requires. The data packages determine which registers you can later select in the data order.
You select data packages by:
- Going to the View and add data packages tab
- Marking the data packages required for the project
- Going to the Argumentation tab
For each selected data package, you must provide a brief but comprehensive argumentation explaining how the data package will be used in the analysis and why it is necessary for the project’s purpose. Only data packages with the status requested or approved can be selected in the data order.
If you are unsure which data packages include the registers you need, you can create a data order directly via the link Create a new order. Here, you can select the registers you require, and the relevant data packages will then be added automatically to the project proposal. For further information, read more about data orders .
Project Access
Project access is the term we use for a user who has access to a project. The project’s contact person can manage access to the project. This includes:
- Changing the contact person
- Adding users
- Removing users who are no longer affiliated with the project
Project access can be updated both before and after approval of the project proposal.
Analysis Platforms
Here, you select the analysis platform (server) on which the project will be placed. Read more under analysis platform.
Summary
Finally, an overall summary of the project proposal is displayed. It is recommended to review all information carefully before submitting the project proposal to the institution’s administrator. The administrator can then forward it to Statistics Denmark.
Resubmit project
Do previously approved project proposals need to resubmit the project?
When a project is expanded with new packages, changes in the population, or external data within new subject areas, the project proposal must include the new data and must therefore always be resubmitted.
In 2026, you may update the project proposal and submit it without charge – however, this only applies to project proposals without expansions.
When is the option ‘Resubmit project’ relevant?
A resubmission is required if the project is to be expanded. This may be due to the need for a new data package or new external data not covered by the approved project proposal.
The project has not previously used the register selector to choose data for subprojects. Therefore, it is not approved for all packages. Should the project proposal be completed now, or can we wait until an expansion?
The project cannot order data from packages it is not approved for. The project proposal in its current form must therefore be completed and approved. This is done without charge if you can demonstrate that it does not constitute an expansion.
Populations
What does “full register” mean when referring to populations?
Registers at Statistics Denmark are based on different populations depending on the subject area. For example, the PHD register includes only PhD students, while ADOP includes only adoptees. Therefore, the term full register is used rather than full population.
Can all project proposals choose full register extracts?
All projects that can provide strong, professional arguments for needing full register extracts may be granted access. Public institutions wishing to create one or more populations themselves may use this need as part of their professional argumentation.
Data packages
Does a project proposal need to be approved again if a new data package is added?
Yes. The project proposal must be resubmitted in order to add a new data package. In the resubmission, you must describe the purpose and use of the data package’s subject area in the project description and provide a professional argumentation under data packages -> argumentation. The resubmission is then submitted and may be approved by Denmark’s Data Portal.
Does adding a register within an already approved data package require new approval?
No. Once a data package is approved in the project proposal, all registers within that package may be ordered.
Do the specific registers need to be ordered even if the data package is approved in the project proposal?
Yes. The project proposal covers approval of data packages. The specific registers are always selected in the data order.
External data
Where and how should external data be described?
External data should be described at a general level in the project proposal at the subject-area level. The detailed description, including variables, source, and de-identification, is provided in the data order.
Can we describe external data that has not yet been uploaded?
Yes. In the project proposal, you must describe the overall need for external data at the subject-area level. This can be done even if a long time is expected to pass before the data is submitted. Once the project proposal is approved, you may order external data within the described area without further resubmissions. This ensures that the project proposal does not need to be resubmitted when external data is ordered in the future.
Appendices
Where should Appendices (e.g., SDS approvals) be uploaded?
Appendices may be added either to the most recently approved project proposal or when creating a data order. This is typically relevant for external data.
If you need to expand or supplement an already approved project proposal, you can create a resubmission under Projects and Data. A resubmission is used, for example, if additional data packages are required or if there are major changes to populations or external data.
When submitting a resubmission, a new version of the project proposal is created based on the most recently approved version. The resubmission must be approved before the changes can be used in subsequent data orders.