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Statistics Without Borders (SWB) is a volunteer outreach group of the American Statistical Association (ASA). It provides pro bono statistical and data science support to organizations working for public benefit, with a focus on helping developing countries. It was established in 2008.
For research teams and community organizations, knowing how SWB works clarifies who can ask for help, what the process looks like, and what volunteers are asked to do.
What is Statistics Without Borders?
SWB offers volunteer expertise rather than money. According to its own site, it advocates objective, impartial and sound decision making using best statistical practices. It does not collect volunteer fees or subscription dues, and donations are used only to help SWB function, for example to pay for website hosting.
Many requests involve questions that sit between classical inference and modern computational methods, which is the same boundary explored in data science vs statistics.
Who started it and who can use it?
SWB’s About page credits its start to a Joint Statistical Meetings panel, “Statisticians: Speaking Out and Reaching Out on Global Health”, organized by Steve Pierson, Gary Shapiro, Jim Cochran and Fritz Scheuren.
Clients must be organizations, not individuals. SWB states that it cannot work with for-profit organizations, that projects must be of public benefit, and that project goals must be non-religious and non-political. Clients can come from anywhere, there is no minimum project size, and small projects are welcome.
Questions that projects like these commonly raise, with background reading on this site:
- Study and survey design: planning how data will be collected, including approaches such as participatory action research.
- Choosing methods: deciding how to choose a statistical test that fits the data.
- Sample size: see power analysis and sample size calculation.
How does an organization request help from SWB?
- Check eligibility: the client must be an organization, not an individual, and not a for-profit.
- Complete the New Client Questionnaire: it asks for two contacts (name, phone and email each), a project description and background, goals, expected outcomes, a timeframe and data sources.
- Discuss fit: after submission SWB contacts the applicant to discuss the project and whether SWB is a good fit.
- Optional exploratory consulting: SWB may first run a consulting engagement to clarify goals and deliverables, which it suggests for organizations early in their data analysis work or unsure how to use their data.
How do statisticians volunteer with SWB?
- Register: complete the Volunteer Application first.
- Read the policies: SWB’s volunteer FAQ directs volunteers to the Volunteer Handbook, the SWB Volunteer Code of Conduct and the volunteer policies.
- Watch for calls: opportunities are announced by email as calls for volunteers. To respond, follow the instructions in the call email and answer every information request, because incomplete responses are deprioritized.
Each project team is led by a Project and Client Manager working with a Statistical Consultant as technical expert, joined by project volunteers. A Delivery and Quality Assurance analyst audits delivery independently of the team. Active assignments are generally in the range of 5 to 10 hours per week.
What are the strengths and limits?
Strengths
- No fee to clients: SWB does not charge for volunteer support.
- Structured teams: each project has a manager, a technical expert and independent quality assurance.
- Small projects welcome: there is no minimum size.
Limits
- No software supplied: SWB does not supply analysis software. Volunteers must have access to the tools a project needs, including commercial licenses where required.
- Timing: most calls for volunteers close within about 3 days, selection usually takes at least a week and can take several weeks, and new opportunities arrive irregularly. Projects can run from a few weeks to several months.
- Publication needs permission: permission from the client is generally required to publish, although SWB encourages publication.
FAQ
What does Statistics Without Borders do?
It provides volunteer statistical and data science support to organizations whose projects serve the public benefit, with a focus on developing countries.
Does Statistics Without Borders charge for its services?
SWB states that it does not collect volunteer fees or subscription dues, and that donations are used only to help SWB function, such as website hosting.
Can individuals or companies request help?
No. The client must be an organization and not an individual, and SWB cannot work with for-profit organizations.
How long does it take to get a team?
Volunteer calls usually close within about 3 days, and selection usually takes at least a week and can take several weeks. It is better suited to planned work than to same-week deadlines, although some projects do carry tight deadlines of a week or two.
How can I volunteer with Statistics Without Borders?
Complete the Volunteer Application, then respond to calls for volunteers by following the instructions in each call email. Typical active assignments take 5 to 10 hours per week.
Does SWB provide software?
No. Volunteers need access to the tools a project requires, including commercial licenses where required.
Sources
All pages checked November 7, 2026.
- Statistics Without Borders. About SWB. https://www.statisticswithoutborders.org/about-SWB/
- Statistics Without Borders. New Client Questionnaire. https://www.statisticswithoutborders.org/forms/new-client-questionnaire/
- Statistics Without Borders. FAQ for Volunteers and Prospective Volunteers. https://www.statisticswithoutborders.org/faq/
