SOEP-IS 2028 – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is SOEP-IS?

The SOEP Innovation Sample (SOEP-IS) is part of the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) at DIW Berlin. It serves as a platform for innovative, survey-based research that allows scientists to test new questions, experimental designs, and data collection methods within a representative household panel.

What kinds of research can SOEP-IS support?

SOEP-IS is designed for innovative projects that develop new or target group-specific measurement instruments, conduct behavioral or field experiments (incentivized or not), or combine survey data with non-survey data such as biomarkers or app-based measures.

Who can apply?

Researchers from all scientific disciplines who are affiliated with recognized research or academic institutions can apply.

Where can I find information on existing modules?

You can browse past and ongoing innovation modules on:

• SOEP-IS Companion – overview of modules
• Paneldata.org – data documentation and access for SOEP-IS 2024 (Data 1998-2024)

How large is the SOEP-IS sample?

SOEP-IS currently comprises approximately 3,500 households and around 5,000 respondents. Exact figures vary by wave due to refreshment samples and attrition. For detailed documentation, visit https://paneldata.org/soep-is.

Please note that innovative modules are typically implemented in smaller subsamples rather than across the full sample. 

How long is the SOEP-IS interview?

Interviews last about 50 minutes, typically structured as follows:

• ~20 minutes: Core SOEP socioeconomic questions
• ~20 minutes: Standard SOEP-IS modules
• ~10 minutes: Collaborative grant-based modules 

When will the next data collection take place?

Data collection for the 2028 survey wave is scheduled for Q3 2028 – Q2 2029, with raw data expected to be released to submitting researchers in Q3 2029. The innovative modules of 2028 will be included in the data release in Q2 2031 (end of the embargo).

How does the Standard Application Procedure work?

The standard application process has two stages:

• Stage 1 (Short Submission): Submit a short module proposal via the online form by January 15, 2027.
• Stage 2 (Full Proposal): If conditionally accepted, submit a complete proposal by April 30, 2027 using the official template.

Final decisions will be communicated by July 15, 2027.

What should I include in my Stage 1 submission?

Stage 1 proposals must be submitted in English and include a completed short submission form, a preliminary module draft (in English), and any optional supporting material necessary for clarification.

What happens after submission?

Proposals are reviewed by the SOEP-IS scientific committee, composed of members from SOEP-IS, SOEP-Core, the SOEP Survey Council, and the SOEP-IS Advisory Board.

What are possible outcomes of the review?

Conditional Acceptance: Proceed to Stage 2; submit a full proposal in line with recommendations by April 30, 2027.
Revision: Revise and resubmit a full proposal based on feedback by April 30, 2027.
Rejection: The proposal will not be included in the current survey wave.

What are the main evaluation criteria?

Proposals are evaluated based on scientific rigor, relevance, and feasibility. Reviewers consider the project's potential for innovation, its added value within a longitudinal household panel, clarity, respondent burden, and technical implementability.

Are there preferred topics or designs?

Yes. Internationally comparable or broadly applicable modules are preferred over narrowly national or niche topics. We prioritize modules that make use of the longitudinal aspect of SOEP-IS, that are short and straightforward, and that have the potential to generate high-impact scientific publications.

What costs are associated with participation?

Integration of accepted questions into SOEP-IS is free of charge. However, external funding is required for projects that involve additional resources beyond standard survey implementation.

What data collection modes are available?

SOEP-IS currently supports two survey modes: Computer-Assisted Personal Interviews (CAPI) and Computer-Assisted Web Interviews (CAWI).

What happens after final acceptance?

Researchers collaborate with the SOEP-IS survey management team on programming, pilot testing, and implementation. They will also review and approve their modules before fieldwork begins.

What is the Collaborative Grant-Based Application path?

This path supports researchers preparing third-party grant proposals (e.g., DFG, ERC) that include a SOEP-IS module. Applicants must contact SOEP-IS before submitting their grant proposal.

When should I contact SOEP-IS if I am planning a grant-based application?

Researchers planning to include a SOEP-IS module in a third-party grant application should contact SOEP-IS at least three months before the grant submission deadline. This allows sufficient time to assess the module's feasibility, methodological fit, and resource requirements and, where appropriate, to provide a support letter for the grant application.

For applications targeting the 2028 SOEP-IS wave, researchers should contact us no later than December 1, 2026. Applications received after this date can only be considered for the 2029 wave.

What is the latest date to contact SOEP-IS for this path?

While applications are accepted on a rolling basis, researchers should contact the SOEP-IS team no later than December 1, 2026 for inclusion in the 2028 wave. Later submissions can only be considered for 2029.

How are grant-based applications reviewed?

They undergo a fast-track SOEP-IS review, focusing on feasibility, integration, and methodological compatibility with the SOEP-IS design. The scientific evaluation is primarily conducted by the external funding body (e.g., DFG, ERC), while SOEP-IS ensures that the proposed module meets its operational and methodological standards.

What support does SOEP-IS provide for grant-based applicants?

If the proposal is deemed feasible, SOEP-IS will issue a support letter confirming feasibility for inclusion in the grant application and grant access to the second-stage SOEP-IS process if the external grant is approved.

What happens if the external grant is not approved?

If the external funding proposal is rejected, the corresponding SOEP-IS module proposal will not proceed.

How are costs handled in grant-based projects?

Grant-based applicants are expected to cover their own data collection costs on a cost-recovery basis. These charges reflect the additional resource burden that a grant-based module imposes on SOEP-IS, most importantly scarce questionnaire minutes, sample capacity, and the associated operational work (programming, fielding, quality control, and coordination), and are limited to marginal, module-specific expenses. This ensures that SOEP-IS remains a sustainable public research infrastructure and continues to serve the scientific community as a public good rather than a commercial service. Please see the cost calculation form (in German and English) (PDF, 135.76 KB) for more details.

How much time is reserved for grant-based projects each year?

Approximately ten minutes of total questionnaire time are allocated annually across all collaborative, grant-based modules combined, distributed across different SOEP-IS subsamples as needed. This shared time cap ensures that externally funded projects do not displace or reduce the time reserved for standard SOEP-IS applications.

Is there a time limit for SOEP-IS modules?

Yes. Modules should generally take approximately 3 minutes to complete and should normally not exceed 4 to 5 minutes. This limit applies to both standard and grant-based applications.

Questionnaire time in SOEP-IS is limited, and shorter modules allow us to accommodate a broader range of innovative research while minimizing respondent burden. Grant-based applications therefore do not provide the option to purchase additional questionnaire time beyond the usual module limits.

Can SOEP-IS reject a proposal after initial approval?

Yes. SOEP-IS may reject a proposal after feasibility approval if methodological, operational, quality, or time constraints arise. Such decisions are reviewed by the SOEP Directorate Board, and applicants receive a written explanation.

Who owns and accesses the data?

Data collected through SOEP-IS are initially available exclusively to the submitting researchers for 12 months. After this embargo period, the data become available to all researchers who have signed a SOEP data user agreement.

How does SOEP-IS promote Open Science and transparency?

SOEP-IS strongly supports Open Science and best research practices. Researchers are encouraged to preregister their studies before data access and required to share their analysis code and documentation upon publication. By submitting a module, applicants agree to follow these transparency standards.

How does SOEP-IS ensure fairness and transparency?

All proposals (standard or grant-based) are evaluated under the same fair and transparent procedures.

How can I get help before submitting?

If you are unsure about feasibility or fit, you are encouraged to contact the SOEP-IS team for preliminary guidance before submission.

Who can I contact with further questions?

Please consult the guidelines and FAQ first. For additional inquiries:
Email: soep-is@diw.de
Submission Form

Can I resubmit a module that was rejected in a previous call?

Yes. Revised versions of previously submitted modules are welcome, particularly if substantial improvements have been made based on feedback from earlier reviews.

Can I collaborate with researchers outside my institution or country?

Absolutely. SOEP-IS encourages international and interdisciplinary collaborations, provided that one lead applicant coordinates communication with the SOEP-IS team.

Can I propose modules in German?

Proposals must be written in English. However, final questionnaire materials must be submitted in both English and German.

Do I need institutional review board (IRB) or ethics approval for my module?

Yes. All accepted SOEP-IS modules are required to obtain IRB or equivalent ethics approval, including repeated or previously approved modules.

Researchers are responsible for obtaining approval independently and must submit the relevant documentation to SOEP-IS by October 1, 2027 for the 2028 wave. Data collection cannot proceed without valid ethics approval.

This requirement applies in addition to the ethical and data-protection review conducted at the SOEP infrastructure level.

What is the acceptance rate?

The acceptance rate has varied across years. In some years, approximately 30% of submitted modules were accepted, while in 2026 the acceptance rate was around 17%. Going forward, we aim to maintain an acceptance rate of approximately 20 to 25%.

By encouraging shorter modules and more focused sample-size requirements, we hope to increase the number of high-quality proposals that can be accommodated within each wave.

Please note, however, that due to methodological and operational constraints, SOEP-IS can generally accommodate only one or two experimental modules per year.

Why is there a two-stage submission process?

The main goal is to make the application process more efficient and fair for researchers. In the past, applicants were required to submit a full proposal, including detailed elements such as power calculations, analysis plans, and other technical information, from the outset. While this level of detail is essential for evaluating a module's scientific merit, some proposals were screened out earlier for reasons unrelated to scientific quality, such as overlap with existing content, special sample requirements, or feasibility constraints.

Under the two-stage system, researchers first submit a short preliminary proposal. This allows the evaluation team to assess feasibility and fit within the overall SOEP-IS design before applicants invest substantial time in preparing a full submission.

The aim is to create a more efficient, transparent, and researcher-friendly process, ensuring that only proposals with a realistic chance of inclusion proceed to the detailed review stage.

Who can I contact with further questions?

Please consult the guidelines and this FAQ first, as many common questions are addressed there.

For additional inquiries, please contact us by e-mail at soep-is@diw.de.

SOEP-IS is managed directly by researchers and data scientists and, unlike the main SOEP infrastructure, does not operate a dedicated telephone help desk or call center. E-mail therefore allows us to direct your question to the appropriate team member and provide a more accurate response.