Research and Data Assistance Requests (RADAR)
A community service provided by BetaNYC’s Civic Innovation Lab
What is RADAR?
RADAR is BetaNYC’s Civic Innovation Lab’s response to a growing need for public interest technology, data and research assistance. You submit a request for support related to open data — from your block to borough to national border— and we respond. In a collaborative process, we help you meet your needs as well as build new civic data and analytical skills.
What can I submit?
We welcome most data questions and needs. None is too small (though occasionally, a RADAR may be too large and we try to find it a new home, such as NYU Wagner Capstone classes), and there are never any “dumb” questions. Whether you need help locating a dataset, conducting analysis, building a map or analytical tool, our lab is here to help how! Check out some of the RADARs we have worked on in the past in our project gallery.
Who can submit a RADAR?
RADAR serves Borough President Offices, Community Boards, Council Offices, City Agencies, non-profits, community-based organizations and coalitions, universities, and media organizations. Do you work at one of these? Our services are open to you!
What’s the cost?
In most cases, our Civic Innovation Lab’s RADAR service is absolutely free!
How do I submit a RADAR?
Please fill out this online form or click the button below. Be sure to include as many details as possible about your request, your timeline and your criteria for a successful resolution.
Within a week, we will contact you to refine the scope of the project, ask initial questions and build an estimated timeline.
BetaNYC’s Civic Innovation Lab has serviced over 100 RADARs. Explore highlights of our work below.
Who RADAR has served
Our History of RADAR
For the last few years, we have worked with the Manhattan Borough President and NYC’s Community Boards to address their complex data and analytical needs. This collaboration resulted in RADAR, a free service we now provide to local government offices and community-based organizations to help with one-off data analytics projects. Fellows and apprentices, who are trained in our Civic Innovation Lab, work alongside our staff to meet your data needs.
On this page, learn more about the 100+ RADAR projects they have worked on and fill out a request if you have one!
Need research or data assistance?
Questions? Email us at dataassistance@beta.nyc