How do I apply to access UK Biobank data?

To access UK Biobank data for your research, you must be registered with UK Biobank and submit an application through our Access Management System (AMS).

If you haven't registered yet, see this article: How do I register as a UK Biobank researcher before starting your application.

What information do I need before applying?

Before starting your application, make sure you have:

• Research summary: A description of the research you plan to conduct.
• Research purpose: Confirmation that your proposed research is health-related and in the public interest.
• Data requirements: Details of the UK Biobank data tier you need to access.
• Expected research outputs: A description of any new data or variables your research will generate.

How do I submit an application?

Step 1: Complete your application

Log in to AMS, complete the application form and select the data tier you wish to access.

For detailed instructions, see our guidance on completing the form here.

Step 2: Add your collaborators

Add researchers who are already registered and approved, or invite new researchers who will need access to UK Biobank data as part of your project.

Step 3: Provide your authorised signatory's details

Add the contact details of someone authorised to sign the Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) on behalf of each participating institution.

The authorised signatory must be someone other than the Principal Investigator (PI) or Lead Collaborator for that institution.

What happens after I submit my application?

Step 4: Application review

Our team will review your application and contact you through AMS if we need further information or have feedback.

Step 5: Approval and agreements

Once your application is approved, we will raise a request for the access fee and send the MTA to you and your authorised signatory.

Step 6: Accessing your data

Once we have received payment of the access fee and the signed MTA, our Researcher Enablement Team will let you know when your data are available to access on the UK Biobank Research Analysis Platform (UKB-RAP).

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