Data

Access genetic, clinical, and lifestyle data from our research participants to support your study. Find out more about available data and how to apply.

What we offer

We can provide researchers from academia, industry and the NHS with access to a wide range of participant data including:

  • Genetic: Genotyping arrays, Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS), Whole Exome Sequencing (WES)
  • Phenotypic: Health and lifestyle questionnaires,  Clinical Report Forms (CRFs)
  • Metabolomic

Data holdings

We hold data across multiple participant programmes, including several common diseases, more than 60 rare disease projects and general population cohorts based on demographic criteria such as age or ethnicity.

Condition-specific clinical report forms (CRFs) are available but vary by cohort and may not include all fields for all participants.

Find out more about our participant programmes.

The data available via a BioResource Data Access Application are presented in the table below as data types for each BioResource programme. The number of participants was updated in March 2026, and data types refer to stored participant data for Data Access Applications (eligible for data use); in progress refers to data which is currently being generated; *= data available for a subset of the total participants.

ProgrammeParticipantsGENOTYPE ARRAYWGSWESMETABOLOMERNA-SEQH&LQCRF
COVID-199,035YES



YES
D-CYPHR12,812IN PROGRESS



YES
GENERAL139,752YES

4,163YES*YES*
IBD51,402YESYES*~21,000

YESYES
IBHO5,984YES





IMID18,910IN PROGRESS



YESYES
MENTAL HEALTH96,725YES



YES
MASLD4,229IN PROGRESS



YESYES
RARE DISEASES25,053YES~8,500
344YES*
YES

Data key

WGS = whole genome sequencing, WES = Whole Exome Sequencing, H&LQ = Health & Lifestyle Questionnaire Data, CRF = Clinical Report Form

Cohort key

D-CYPHR = DNA, Children + Young People's Health Resource, IBD = Inflammatory Bowel Disease, IBHO = Improving Black Health Outcomes, IMID = Immune Mediated Inflammatory Diseases, MASLD = Metabolic dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease

Application process

Applications to use the NIHR BioResource follow a clear, staged process to support responsible access to participant data.

Researchers are encouraged to contact the team early to discuss feasibility and ethical requirements before submitting an application for review

Road to data access

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    1. Application submission

    The application is received and undergoes a preliminary review. Changes may be suggested/requested at this stage. Incomplete or unfeasible applications will not be reviewed by the committee.
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    2. Committee review

    Applications are reviewed by the Data Access Committee and National Participant Advisory Group. Applications that are declined can be revised and resubmitted.
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    3. Industry applications

    Industry applications are also reviewed by the national Steering Committee and contracts are set up following approval.
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    4. Approval

    Approved applications are added to the data provision queue. Contracts and agreements are signed.
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    5. Provision

    Data is provisioned via the approved access method.
How to apply
  1. Complete the Data Access Application form
  2. Include a plain language summary using our guidance
  3. Include a recent CV of all listed applicants
  4. E-mail your application to dac@bioresource.nihr.ac.uk

Applications are reviewed by the Data Access Committee (DAC) every two weeks. Industry applications may also require approval from our Steering Committee.

If a meeting is full, your application will be considered at the next available session.

Important notes
  • A well-written plain language summary is essential - it will be published if your application is approved
  • You'll receive feedback shortly after the DAC meeting
  • Incomplete applications will not be reviewed
Data accuracy

We make every effort to  make sure our data and samples accurately reflect participant records. However we recommend validating any critical data independently.

If we identify any errors during analysis, we'll notify affected researchers.

Once approved

Once your application is approved by the Data Access Committee (DAC) or Steering Committee for Industry applications,  you will be asked to:

  • sign a legal agreement (Data Access Agreement, Material Transfer Agreement or Consultancy Agreement)
  • submit any required documentation

Our team will then guide you through the process. Once complete, your study will enter the data provision phase, which will be reviewed monthly. A member of our data team will provide an estimated timeline.

Application forms

  • New application

    Complete the form and submit to dac@bioresource.nihr.ac.uk along with a recent CV of all listed applicants.

    Data Access form

  • Add an applicant

    If you already have an existing application and need to add a new applicant, please use the additional applicant form.

    Additional applicant form

  • Request more data

    If you would like to request additional data to an existing approved application, please submit an additional request form.

    additional request form
Data provision timelines

After approval, data access may vary depending on complexity. 


Within 2 weeks:

  • Genetic sequence data via University of Cambridge's High Performance Computing facility
  • Genomic data via European Genome-Phenome Archive (EGA)

Up to 3 months:

  • Data requiring substantial de-identification

Up to 6 months:

  • Bespoke data requiring processing
  • Requests involving NHS Digital linkage
Access methods

The NIHR BioResource is committed to making Secure Data Environments (SDEs) the default method for accessing participant data, after a Data Access Application has been approved. An SDE is a platform where researchers can analyse data in a secure and controlled fashion. Usage of the SDE is subject to strict access and output controls.


Before being granted access to any data through the SDE platform, users must sign the SDE Terms and Conditions.


Alternative methods of data access will be reviewed by the BioResource Data Access Committee (DAC) as an exception, and approval of the method will depend on several factors, including data types, volume, and security requirements.

Costs

Visit our Costs page.

Can you help me with my application?

Yes! For help with your Data Access Application or to know if our data are suitable for your study, email us at dac@bioresource.nihr.ac.uk.

Ready to use our BioResource?

Find out more above regarding applications or get in touch with our team to discuss your research project and how we can support your work.

Email us