AMS User Guide - Applying and Registering

Introduction

UK Biobank is a tool for health research that has been set up as an open access Resource available to all bona fide researchers for all types of health-related research which is in the public interest. Researchers can register with UK Biobank and apply to access the Resource via the Access Management System (AMS).

The access process

There are 5 stages that must take place before you can access the UK Biobank Resource:

1. Application: To allow UK Biobank to assess: (i) whether the proposed research is likely to be approved; (ii) whether the proposed research meets the required criteria for access (including legal and ethics standards); (iii) whether the Resource contains the data and/or samples required for the proposed research; (iv) whether the amount of depletable sample required is scientifically justified; (vi) the cost of providing such data and/or samples.
2. Registration: To confirm the identity of each researcher intending to use the Resource, to check their bona fides before registering them as a potential user.
3. Access Committee (AC) review: The AC is a sub-committee of the UK Biobank Board, and is responsible for making key access decisions, notably those regarding the use of depletable samples, recontact or potentially contentious research. The AC meets on a quarterly basis.
4. Material Transfer Agreement (MTA): For approved applications, the MTA needs to be executed and access charges paid before release of data and/or samples to the Applicant Principal Investigator (PI).
5. Sample / Data Release: Materials will only be released after payment and execution of the MTA. Data is typically released on a weekly basis, whereas samples are released to an agreed timetable.

Application and Registration for new researchers submitting an application

• Before applying and registering, please ensure you have the following:

1. An electronic copy of your CV / Resume OR a link to a personal profile page on your institute’s website (which can be uploaded during your registration submission); the UK Biobank Access Management Team (AMT) needs one of these to complete the registration checks.
2. Details of up to 5 peer-reviewed publications which you are named on.

We recommend using Google Chrome to access the AMS – we are aware of some compatibility issues with certain browsers (such as Firefox and Safari).

New Registration for Invited Collaborators

If you have been invited to collaborate on an application and you have not submitted a registration before, you will need to follow the unique link sent to your institute email address in order to complete a registration form.

Once you have an approved registration, you will be added to the application you were invited to.

Read the full guide to submitting a registration in the document attached at the end of this article.

If you need additional guidance or support please submit a ticket 

• New Unregistered Researchers Invited to Collaborate on a Project.pdf200 KB