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Data Infrastructure

Modern data infrastructure supports research, innovation, and security. The National Academies explore how to build resilient data systems that enable access, sharing, and responsible use of information, and offer expert advice for federal statistical agencies and others who create, support, and use our nation’s data infrastructure.

What's happening

As Demand for Electricity Grows, Energy Parks Are Being Explored as Potential Solutions

Feature Story

The energy needs of AI data centers are greatly increasing the amount of electricity demanded from our aging power grid. A recent National Academies webinar looked at the potential benefits and barriers of regional energy parks — which co-locate local power sources and large-scale users at a single point on the grid — to provide electricity quickly and more affordably.

Feb 26, 2026

Steel transmission towers stretch across a desert plain at sunset while glowing blue strands symbolize data-intensive artificial intelligence increasing power consumption.

Data Infrastructure

And why does it matters

Data infrastructure refers to systems that hold, link, and support access and analysis of data. Our nation’s data infrastructure underpins our national statistics, making it a vital resource for informing decision making and public policy.

National statistics are derived from surveys and other data sources that reflect current conditions across the country and allow us to track changes over time. Although any data collection has limitations, the large scale and rigorous practices used to generate national statistics make them some of the most reliable data collections available.
Governments, businesses, and many types of organizations use national statistical data to inform decisions that affect daily life, our society, and our future.
- Labor Market
- Health and Well-Being
- Food and Agriculture
- City Planning
- Housing
- Energy
- Enviroment
- Education
- Transportation
- and much more!
In the United States, many federal agencies collect data as part of their mission. In addition, businesses and non-profits, as well as state, local, and Tribal governments, generate data that can potentially feed into national statistics. However, there is no central body that manages it all.
- Bureau of Economic Analysis (U.S. Department of Commerce)
- Bureau of Justice Statistics (U.S. Department of Justice)
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (U.S. Department of Labor)
- Bureau of Transportation Statistics (U.S. Department of Transportation)
- Census Bureau (U.S. Department of Commerce)
- Economic Research Service (U.S. Department of Agriculture)
- Energy Information Administration (U.S. Department of Energy)
- National Agricultural Statistics Service (U.S. Department of Agriculture)
- National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education)
- National Center for Health Statistics (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
- National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (National Science Foundation)
- Office of Research, Evaluation, and Statistics (Social Security Administration)
- Statistics of Income Division (U.S. Department of the Treasury)

Featured work

Governance and Coordination Systems for Resilient Earth Observations – Issue Paper

Individually-Authored Product

In Formation

Strengthening Southeast Asian Academia and Industry Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Safety and Security - A Workshop

Meeting of Experts

In Formation

AI for Weather & Climate Forecasting Webinar Series

Seminar/Webinar/Lecture

In Formation

Three people viewed from behind as they observe multiple screens displaying weather data and forecasts.

Assessment of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Engineering Laboratory (EL)

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

Data, Metrics, and Analytic Methods for Assessing Equity Impacts of Surface Transportation Funding Programs

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

Building Data Capacity for Patient-Centered Outcomes Research: An Agenda for 2021 to 2030

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

Safeguarding the Bioeconomy: Finding Strategies for Understanding, Evaluating, and Protecting the Bioeconomy while Sustaining Innovation and Growth

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

Assessment of the Technical Quality of the Information Technology Laboratory at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

The Future of Voting: Accessible, Reliable, Verifiable Technology

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

Future Directions for NSF Advanced Computing Infrastructure to Support US Science in 2017-2020

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

Featured Publications

Assessing and Measuring the Business Value of Knowledge Management

2026

The Business Case for Knowledge Management: A Guide

2026

The Science and Practice of Team Science

Consensus Study Report

2025

U.S. Research Data Summit: Strengthening Cooperation Across Organizations and Sectors: Proceedings of a Workshop

Proceedings

2025

An Assessment of Selected Divisions of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Information Technology Laboratory: Fiscal Year 2024

Consensus Study Report

2025

Upcoming events

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Units

Resilient and Enduring Data Infrastructure for Biomedical and Life Sciences Research and Innovation

Action Collaborative

In Formation

Standing Committee for Earth Observations, Data, and Information Systems

Standing Committee

In Formation

Roundtable on Data Science Postsecondary Education

Roundtable/Forum

Completed

Geographical Sciences Committee

Standing Committee

Completed

Standing Committee on Geospatial Data Acquisition Technologies

Standing Committee

Completed

Action Collaborative on Neuroscience Data in the Cloud

Action Collaborative

Completed

Sharing Clinical Trial Data: An Action Collaborative

Action Collaborative

Completed

Committee on Earth Resources

Standing Committee

In Progress

Social and Economic Systems Program Area

Oversight Unit

In Progress

Happy and smiling multiracial family with grandparents by the beach in New England

Committee on National Statistics

Standing Committee

In Progress

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