Access
Overview of data access
Accessing the data managed via BioGrid’s platform is a straightforward process that ensures all ethics and governance concerns are managed to the highest levels. This means that both you and the data custodians can be confident about data and patient privacy.
Access process
The application process is also designed to help you ascertain whether the data sets you’re interested in will fulfill your requirements.
Follow the steps below to complete your application
We recommend collating all the required information for your application before you log into the BioGrid Access Request System. The current BioGrid Access Request system does not allow you to save incomplete applications, so collecting all required information in advance will ensure you can submit your application in one session. If you prefer to complete your application within a Word template for a BioGrid staff member to complete and submit on your behalf, please contact us at access@biogrid.org.au.
For details about the information you’ll need for your application, go to the Prepare and submit application page.
Note that all projects requesting access to the BioGrid platform are required to pay a research user access fee, excepting data custodians wishing to access only their own data set. This fee covers services provided to researchers in the process of linking data or getting access to linked data for a specific research program. Find out more about the research user access fee.
When you’re ready, visit our submit your application page and start the Research Project Application process.
When this is complete, you (and all listed investigators) will receive an email from BioGrid containing a link that requires you to click on it to agree to BioGrid’s Terms and Conditions. Your application will not proceed until this step is completed.
This email also contains a Project ID - please use this reference whenever you contact BioGrid about your application.
The custodian of each data set that you’ve selected will be notified about your request. They will review your project details and either approve access or contact you for further information.
If your project requires ethical review and approval, two members of the BioGrid Australia Expert Scientific Review Panel will evaluate your research project regarding scientific quality and the potential impact of the research.
Once your project has received two independent scientific reviews with a score of 3 or above, your project will be submitted to Melbourne Health HREC for ethical review.
If your project has current ethical approval from an accredited Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC), your application will bypass the HREC review process. Acceptance of BioGrid Australia’s Terms and Conditions of Data Access and the approval of all relevant data custodians is still required.
All research projects without ethical approval must be scientifically evaluated then submitted for ethical review before a project can be given approval to commence. The Melbourne Health Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) provides ethical oversight for projects without ethical approval in the BioGrid Access Request System.
When your access has been approved by all relevant parties, BioGrid will create logins and assign access to approved databases for your project. The login details will be sent to each applicant via email.
There are two options for how you can access data for your project.
If you are unsure of the best method please contact BioGrid to discuss your options.
We can assist you
In most instances it is useful for you to spend some time with a BioGrid Data Analyst to explain your project analysis and visualisations you require. This will ensure we have a good understanding of your project and requirements.