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Research Requests

Guidance to those seeking to conduct research with California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) / California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS) is provided in two primary documents: Guidelines for Submitting CDCR Research Applications and the Research Application Form. All research application-related documentation should be submitted to Data.Requests@cdcr.ca.gov.

The Research Oversight Committee (ROC) process provides a standardized and comprehensive approach for selecting and overseeing all CDCR/CCHCS research projects. The Division of Correctional Policy Research and Internal Oversight ROC Administration Team (ROCAT) facilitates the ROC process. The ROC process emphasizes a diverse approach with all CDCR/CCHCS Divisions and Offices represented by voting cabinet-level executives. The process provides a continuous application submission opportunity for individual researchers and research institutions.

The ROC reviews research applications during monthly scheduled meetings (see schedule below). The Committee will approve, deny, conditionally approve, or continue each application by early decision following initial review. If an application is approved by the Committee, the applicant must provide to CDCR/CCHCS additional internal and external approval documents before the project can be initiated. If an application is conditionally approved, the applicant will be notified of the specific problem(s) with the application and the modification(s) that are required for final approval of the application. An application is continued if more work is required before the application can be considered by the committee for final decision.

Applications will be processed in the order that they are received. Applications received after the monthly cutoff date will be automatically forwarded to the next meeting agenda.

All interactions between the applicant and CDCR/CCHCS should be directed to Data.Requests@cdcr.ca.gov (mail to: Data.Requests@cdcr.ca.gov).

The following are the operative steps that are necessary to conduct research with CDCR/CCHCS:

  • Step One (Research Project Applicant):
    Read the Guidelines for Submitting CDCR Research Applications.
  • Step Two (Research Project Applicant):
    Complete and submit the Research Application Form. The Research Oversight Committee Administration Team (ROCAT) accepts research applications on a continuous basis.
  • Step Three (ROCAT):
    Notify research applicants of early ROC decision (full approval / denial / conditional approval / continue) within 15 business dates following ROC meeting for those applications received by the monthly submission cutoff date.
  • Step Four (Research Project Applicant):
    Complete and submit a revised Research Application Form, if original application submission received a conditional approval or continue.
  • Step Five (ROCAT):
    Notify research project applicants of final ROC decision.

The ROC calendar for 2022-2023:   

  • Applications received by 09/26/2022 will be initially reviewed by ROC on 10/27/2022;
  • Applications received by 10/31/2022 will be initially reviewed by ROC on 11/17/2022;
  • Applications received by 11/28/2022 will be initially reviewed by ROC on 12/22/2022;
  • Applications received by 12/26/2022 will be initially reviewed by ROC on 01/26/2023;
  • Applications received by 01/30/2023 will be initially reviewed by ROC on 02/23/2023;
  • Applications received by 02/27/2023 will be initially reviewed by ROC on 03/23/2023;
  • Applications received by 03/27/2023 will be initially reviewed by ROC on 04/27/2023;
  • Applications received by 04/24/2023 will be initially reviewed by ROC on 05/25/2023;
  • Applications received by 05/30/2023 will be initially reviewed by ROC on 06/22/2023;
  • Applications received by 06/26/2023 will be initially reviewed by ROC on 07/27/2023;
  • Applications received by 07/31/2023 will be initially reviewed by ROC on 08/24/2023;
  • Applications received by 08/28/2023 will be initially reviewed by ROC on 09/28/2023;
  • Applications received by 09/25/2023 will be initially reviewed by ROC on 10/26/2023;
  • Applications received by 10/30/2023 will be initially reviewed by ROC on 11/16/2023;
  • Applications received by 11/27/2023 will be initially reviewed by ROC on 12/28/2023;

The ROC will initially approve, deny, conditionally approve, or continue all applications as written. If the application is conditionally approved or continued, a final decision on the application will be deferred to a subsequent ROC meeting and the applicant will be provided specific information permitting the application to move forward.