The CLSA charges researchers using a partial cost-recovery model. The fees incorporate partial recovery of administrative costs, data processing, data retrieval, and delivery costs incurred by the CLSA as part of the data and biospecimen access process.

The charge for an approved application is $3,000 CAD for researchers based in Canada, and $5,000 USD for researchers based at institutions outside of Canada. Additional fees apply for access to image files, raw data and datasets that require more complex customization. Please see below the fees for additional data. The cost for any other raw data will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

* Fee payable per wave when requesting these data in addition to the regular data access application fee. Note: additional fees are in CAD for applications from within Canada and USD for applications from outside Canada.

** Fee payable for baseline and/or follow-up 1 when requested at the same time.

*** Not available for baseline. 

Fee waiver

Graduate students (Masters or PhD) enrolled for their degree at Canadian universities who wish to obtain the CLSA data for the sole purpose of their thesis and postdoctoral or clinical fellows (limit 1 waiver per fellow) who wish to obtain the CLSA data for the sole purpose of their postdoctoral project may request a fee waiver. Canadian trainees working outside Canada but funded through a Canadian source are also eligible. The request for a fee waiver must be checked in Part 1 of the CLSA Data and Biospecimen Access Request Application.

The CIHR Catalyst Grants for the use of CLSA Data are not eligible for Trainee Fee Waivers.

Fee waivers do not include additional data (images and raw data).