Dataset Resources

Open Source Data Resources

The Engaged Learning Office (ELO) has identified open-source data repositories and individual datasets that students and faculty can use in courses. Faculty are encouraged to explore this resource to find an interesting dataset for their course or share it with their students to help them locate datasets for independent projects.

• UMSI Dataset Index: Links to a list of individual, open datasets that are interesting and complex.

• UMSI Data Source Index: Links to a list of open databases and repositories.

External Datasets in Courses

External Datasets without Client Experience

The Engaged Learning Office (ELO) works with external partners to identify and acquire useful datasets for Kaggle competitions, independent course-related data analysis projects, and more. Requests should be submitted three or more months in advance of the use case; fulfillment of the request is not guaranteed due to various contractual and access reasons, and the ELO may provide public dataset recommendations instead. The acquired datasets will be added to the UMSI Dataset Index upon completion of the course.

Submit requests for datasets at least three months in advance of the use case at https://forms.gle/VbhtjHiDiLF5Vdzo7

External Datasets with Client Experience

Faculty interested in contextualizing a dataset for students with a “light” client experience should follow our process for engaging clients in courses or programs. In these experiences, a client partner provides a dataset and visits the class throughout the semester to provide contextual information and answer questions. Students do not directly engage with the client outside of classroom visits, and the faculty define deliverables. 

Additional U-M Resources for Datasets

U-M Library

The University of Michigan Library has created numerous valuable resources to assist students in locating datasets. Additionally, students receive complimentary access to various databases using their U-M credentials. Students and faculty are also encouraged to reach out directly to the librarians for additional help in accessing resources and databases. 

U-M Library Research Guide: Information & Library Science (UMSI)

Are you a UMSI student and not sure how to begin researching a topic? This guide is for you. Find suggested databases and books, along with links to additional resources. Discover library services and get personalized help.

U-M Library Research Guide: Master of Applied Data Science (MADS)

Suggested library resources for students in the U-M School of Information's online Master of Applied Data Science program.

U-M Library Research Guide: Finding Statistics and Data Sets

Find data produced by governments, IGOs, NGOs, and the private sector on a wide variety of topics, including demographic data on local communities, other countries, public opinion polls, criminal justice, incarceration, and jails.

U-M Library Research Guide: Kresge Library Databases Overview

This Kresge Library Databases Overview Guide will help you get started using the Michigan Ross Kresge Library databases for class assignments and group projects.

U-M Library Data Grant Program

Do you need access to a particular set of data to conduct your research? Apply for a data grant, and you’ll get library-licensed access to the information you need. The requested data must already be commercially available.

Contact Information

• ELO email: umsi.engagement@umich.edu

• Data Science Programs Manager: Maggie Brodbeck (brodbeck@umich.edu)

• ELO staff and lecturer listing

Updated July 7, 2025  - K.Kowatch