This document contains answers to FAQs from researchers relating to project management and the UKB-RAP.

Project Management

• It is no longer necessary for researchers to submit scope extensions. Rather, we now ask that you please provide any updates to your scope in the next Annual Report. If you believe there may be need for a new application due to the extended scope outside of your original project, you should submit a new application form in AMS, including all your research goals. Our Scientific Team will then review the application and provide further guidance.

• In order to upgrade the tier of your project you will need to submit a tier change request as detailed in this user guide. The cost of the tier change is calculated based on the length of time remaining on your project, and the difference between the tier of data previously accessed and the one you wish to upgrade to. Further information can be found on the costs page of our website. Before the tier change of your project can be completed, the project PI and any Lead Collaborators will need to complete all mandatory training modules. Further guidance can be found here on our UK Biobank Community. All UK Biobank data is only accessible for analyses via the Research Analysis Platform (UKB-RAP), as announced here. UK Biobank Data cannot be downloaded under any circumstances. A 3-month grace period is provided to help you upload the necessary data into the UKB-RAP. By the end of the 3-month period, the Principal Investigator (PI) and Lead Collaborators must confirm that all UK Biobank data has been deleted from your systems. Please email the Access Team once the transition is complete.

• If your project has not yet expired, you can request a duration extension of 12, 24 or 36 months. In order to extend the duration of the project you will need to submit a duration extension change request as detailed in this user guide. Please note that there is a character limit of 1400 when outlining the reason for duration. If you receive a server error when submitting your duration extension, please check the number of characters you have entered against the limit. Upon approval of the duration extension request we will distribute new Material Transfer Agreements (if applicable) and also a payment request for the duration extension fee for the Applicant Institute to process. The cost of the duration extension is calculated based on the length of duration extension requested, the tier of data previously accessed and the number of collaborating institutes named on the project. Further information can be found on the costs page of our website.

• If a project requires a short extension to complete, you may submit a duration extension for 12 months. You should specify that you wish to complete your project using data held on-premises in the extension reason. Upon approval of the request, the Access Team will remove your project from the AMS RAP list.

• To access data in UKB-RAP researchers will need to complete all mandatory training modules. Further guidance can be found here on our UK Biobank Community. All new and updated UK Biobank data is only accessible for analyses via the UK Biobank Research Analysis Platform (UKB-RAP). This policy is notwithstanding any decisions regarding data download exemptions.

• When signing the Material Transfer Agreement on Docusign, your MTA contact will be asked to provide the details of the Data Protection Officer (DPO) at your institute. The DPO is the person or department at your institute who is responsible for ensuring that your institute processes data in compliance with data privacy laws.

• Please message the Access Team in the Access Management System (AMS) on the project and provide a detailed scientific justification as to why you require the home location data as part of your project. This response will then be forwarded to our Scientific Team for consideration and we will be in touch with their feedback.

• Please check the project has a change request submitted, outstanding payments have been made, and any outstanding annual reports have been submitted. These actions will need to be cleared before full function of the tabs are restored.

• We require written confirmation through the Access Management System (AMS) from the newly elected Principal Investigator (PI) to confirm they are happy to take responsibility of the project and complete the duties of a PI. To do this, please go into your application or project in AMS and send a message to the Access Management Team. The newly elected PI must already have an approved registration with UK Biobank and be named on the project. Once actioned, we will issue a new Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) to the new PI and MTA contact at the applicant institution for signing via DocuSign. The same process is required should you need to transfer the duties of a Lead Collaborator.

• To close your project in the Access Management System (AMS), the following actions are required by the Applicant Principal Investigator (PI) and the named Lead Collaborators (all of which are set out in the Material Transfer Agreement): 1. Complete a final project report in the Reports tab of your project in AMS; 2. Return all results to us - please see our Return of Results User Guide; 3. Upload all publications related to this project in the Admin tab of your project in AMS; 4. Delete and/or destroy all UK Biobank data related to this project. Complete the data deletion form within your project in AMS. Please see our guidance here. Please notify the Access Team confirming that all of the above has been done.

UKB-RAP

• The UKB-RAP empowers approved researchers to analyse UK Biobank data anytime, anywhere, unlocking the unparalleled potential of the world’s most comprehensive biomedical dataset. Developed in partnership with DNAnexus and powered by Amazon Web Services (AWS), the UKB-RAP enables researchers to deepen their understanding of how to prevent, diagnose and treat a wide range of serious and life-threatening illnesses. If you already have a UKB-RAP account, or wish to set one up click here to access the platform.

• The UK Biobank Research Analysis Platform (UKB-RAP) is available to all approved UK Biobank researchers that are collaborating on an approved, in-progress project.

• To access the platform you will need to have an existing UK Biobank AMS account with an approved UK Biobank access application ID. Get started using the UKB-RAP user guide and by watching this overview video which demonstrates key functions of the platform.

• To access the UK Biobank Research Analysis Platform (UKB-RAP) you must have an approved UK Biobank Access Management System (AMS) account, and you must be listed as a collaborator in an AMS application that is approved for UKB-RAP. Registration is a two-step process. You must first create a UKB-RAP user account, and then you must link it to your AMS account. If your organisation has been set up for Single Sign On (SSO), follow internal procedures specific to your organisation. Otherwise if you already have a DNAnexus account, you do not need to create a separate Research Analysis Platform account. You can use your existing DNAnexus account credentials on the UKB-RAP. If you do not already have a DNAnexus account, visit the UKB-RAP landing page and select "Create an account". You will need to provide your full name and email, as well as a username and password that you want to use. For information on how to link a UKB-RAP account to an AMS account, see How do I connect my UK Biobank AMS account to UKB-RAP? Please note that it will not be possible to dispense UKB data to a project in UKB-RAP until the status of the AMS application has been changed from "Approved" to "Underway". AMS applications that are "Approved" in principle may still be waiting for payment, for training or for MTA signatures. See Why does it say that my project is not enabled for UKB-RAP? for more details.

• The UK Biobank dataset is held in the platform at no cost to researchers. There are costs associated with compute, data storage in support of analyses in the platform and egress of permitted data. The full rate card, which may change from time to time, shows the costs.

• UK Biobank has received commitment from AWS to provide AWS Credits for exclusive use in the UK Biobank Research Analysis Platform (UKB-RAP) to early career researchers and those researchers from lower income countries. The Researcher Credits can be used to offset the cost of compute analysis and storage in the UKB-RAP. Terms and conditions apply. Consult our financial support page for more information.

• You will be unable to login to UK Biobank's Research Analysis Platform (UKB-RAP) or the UK Biobank Community if your Access Management System (AMS) profile does not include your date of birth. You can update this by logging into your AMS account and adding your date of birth. Once verified by the Access Team, you will be able to log into the UKB- RAP. If you have forgotten your UKB-RAP log in details please follow the instructions below: If your organisation has been set up for SSO, follow your organization's procedures. If your organisation is not set up for SSO, visit the Research Analysis Platform set password page and enter your email address. You will receive an email with a password reset link, which you can use to reset the password of your account.

If you need additional guidance or support please browse our training, visit the forum, or submit a ticket.