How to Access Data

A unique resource for high-impact research

Born in Bradford (BiB) provides access to one of the UK’s most powerful and richly linked longitudinal datasets.

Our cohorts include over 60,000 participants, with detailed data spanning:

• Health and healthcare records
• Education and development
• Environmental exposures
• Genomic and biomedical data

This breadth and depth of data enables researchers to address complex, real-world challenges and generate meaningful, policy-relevant insights.

Explore the data

Before submitting a proposal, we encourage you to familiarise yourself with the scope of BiB data:

• Data Summary – an accessible overview of our cohorts, study design, and key data domains
• Data Dictionary – a detailed breakdown of available variables

We also have visual summaries to help you quickly understand the structure, scale, and richness of the data:

(Click on the image for a PDF version)

If you are unsure whether BiB holds the data you need, please contact our team — we are happy to advise: borninbradford@bthtft.nhs.uk.

How to apply

We aim to make accessing BiB data as straightforward and efficient as possible.

Step 1: Develop your proposal

Review our Guidance for Collaborators and explore the available data resources.

Step 2: Submission & Deadlines

Once you have formulated your request, please complete the Expression of Interest (EoI) form (v20) and send it to borninbradford@bthft.nhs.uk.

• Deadlines: We operate on a strict Overlapping Cycle to ensure timely decisions. You must submit your EoI 5 weeks prior to the Executive Meeting you wish to target. Specific dates can be found in our Annual EoI Timeline.
• The Lay Summary: Your application must include a clear, jargon-free lay summary.
  • Important: If our Community Panel cannot understand your summary, your application will be returned for revision. Please explain your research as if speaking to a 12-year-old and avoid medical acronyms.

Step 3: Review Process

Approximately two weeks prior to the final decision, your application will be reviewed by:

All proposals undergo a robust but supportive review process involving:

• Technical experts, who assess feasibility and data requirements
• A Community Panel, which considers whether the research is acceptable and understandable.
• The BiB Executive Committee, which reviews each EoI and feedback and either approves it, requests further information, or declines it.

Note: For urgent grant deadlines that cannot wait for the monthly cycle, please flag this to the Administrator. We can trigger a “Rapid Review” for time-critical funding bids.

Step 4: Approval & Fees

Approved projects will be asked to complete a Data Access Agreement (DAA). Where relevant, a Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) will also be required.

A collaborative and supportive approach

We are committed to enabling high-quality, impactful research and providing a responsive, supportive experience for collaborators.

• Dedicated support from the BiB team throughout your application
• Clear governance processes to ensure transparency and trust
• A streamlined system designed to facilitate timely access to data

Costs

As BiB is not directly funded to provide bespoke data extracts, a fee is charged for data access. Costs vary depending on the complexity and scope of the request. Further details are available on our fees page.

Get in touch

If you are considering working with BiB data, we would be very happy to hear from you. borninbradford@bthft.nhs.uk.