HERI is pausing CIRP survey administration
The Higher Education Research Institute (HERI) has conducted landmark research on higher education since 1966. That work has been funded largely by institutions paying to administer each survey, with the resulting data made available to qualified researchers.
Effective 11/1/2026 HERI is pausing CIRP survey administration. The per-survey model that has supported this research for many years has become increasingly difficult to sustain, and we believe a deliberate pause is the responsible way to protect the program’s future.
We want to be clear about what this is and what it is not. This is a strategic pause in survey administration, not a decision to end HERI or its research mission. Over six decades, HERI has added multiple instruments to its work, including follow-up surveys, climate assessments for faculty and staff, and longitudinal tracking.
What this means for institutions
- Surveys already under contract will continue as agreed.
- New survey orders will not be accepted during the pause.
- All surveys are on pause.
- Reports hosted on the HERI Survey Portal will be available for download through June 30, 2027. Please download and archive reports before June 30, 2027.
You do not need to take any action, and there is no additional administrative burden from HERI on your institution as a result of this pause. We recognize this affects institutional planning, and we regret the disruption and the short notice.
We do not yet have a timeline for resuming survey administration, and we will not speculate on one. Additional information will be shared as the planning process advances.
Data requests will be honored through October 31, 2026 followed by a pause until further notice.
Questions
Institutions with active contracts, or those with questions about this change, can reach us at heri@ucla.edu. If you are interested in bespoke surveys or evaluations, please contact us through info@cresst.org. Media inquiries should be directed to Aubrey Hicks, Client Relations & Development Manager, CRESST, at hicks@cresst.org.
What surveys did HERI conduct? Since 1966, HERI has administered a family of CIRP surveys, beginning with The Freshman Survey and later expanding to include follow-up surveys and climate assessments for faculty and staff. These instruments have provided nationally representative insight into student development, campus climate, and institutional effectiveness.
Is HERI closing? No. HERI is pausing CIRP survey administration while developing a sustainable funding model. The institute continues to operate, and its research mission continues.
When will surveys resume? We do not have a timeline yet. Leadership is exploring sustainable approaches, and we will communicate a schedule when one is determined.
What happens to my current data request? Current data requests are being worked on as they come in, please contact heri@ucla.edu for more details.
What if I have a new data request? New data requests will be honored until October 31, 2026. We are still working out the details for data requests after that point, so new data requests will not be accepted after 10/31/2026. Updates will be shared when details are decided.
Can my institution still access our reports? Reports will be available until June 30, 3027 through the HERI Survey Portal. We will be temporarily taking the Portal office on July 1, 2027 until future notice. Please contact heri@heri.ucla.edu for any questions on past reports.
I have another question: We welcome continued engagement from institutions that value this research. Please contact info@cresst.org to discuss ways to stay connected during the planning period.
Posted Nov 1, 2026. Last updated Nov 3, 2026.
