What is the history of the Special Sworn Researcher Program?

The program was established in the early 1990s, partly in response to a recommendation by a National Academy of Sciences study panel that nongovernment users should be given greater access to trade and other international data compiled by the federal government. Before 2019, BEA called it the Special Sworn Employee Program. Researchers in the program are now known as special sworn research consultants of BEA.