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:
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:
When will the next data collection take place?
Data collection for the 2027 survey wave is scheduled for Q3 2027 – Q1 2028, with data expected to be released to submitting researchers in Q2 2028.
How does the Standard Application Procedure work?
The standard application process has two stages:
Final decisions will be communicated by July 15, 2026.
What are the key deadlines for the 2027 call?
Stage 1 Submission (Short Form): January 16, 2026
Notification of Conditional Decisions: February 16, 2026
Stage 2 Submission (Full Proposal): April 30, 2026
Notification of Final Decisions: July 15, 2026
Fieldwork Period: Q3 2027 – Q1 2028
Data Release: Q2 2028
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, 2026.
Revision: Revise and resubmit a full proposal based on feedback by April 30, 2026.
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.
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 November 30, 2025 for inclusion in the 2027 wave. Later submissions can only be considered for 2028.
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. 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 (only in German) (PDF, 118.76 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.
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?
All SOEP-IS surveys are reviewed for ethical and data-protection concerns at the infrastructure level. However, individual innovation modules are not automatically subject to a separate IRB process. The SOEP and SOEP-IS Survey Committees recommend obtaining additional IRB approval if the proposed module includes sensitive questions or experimental elements that may raise ethical issues. Researchers who need IRB approval for institutional, disciplinary, or publication-related reasons are responsible for securing it independently.
What is the acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate has varied over the years. In some years, it was around 30%, while in 2026 it was approximately 17%. With shorter modules and more reasonable sample size requirements, we aim to increase this rate in the future.
Please note, however, that we can only accept one or two experiments per year. This limitation exists because between-subject designs divide the total sample into smaller groups, which reduces statistical power. To ensure adequately powered studies, we therefore accept only a small number of experiments each year. In addition, our experience shows that experimental modules typically take more time, as they include instructions and multiple questions.
Why did you change switch to two-step submission system?
The main goal is to make the application process easier and fairer 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 right from the start. While this level of detail is essential for evaluating a module’s scientific value, many proposals were screened out earlier for reasons unrelated to their quality, such as overlap with existing content, the need for special samples, or feasibility constraints.
With the new two-step system, researchers first submit a short preliminary proposal. This allows the evaluation team to assess feasibility and fit within the overall survey design before applicants invest substantial time in preparing a full submission. The goal 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.