Access Process

All completed and submitted Access Application Forms and associated documentation are reviewed by the independent Access Committee according to the following criteria:

• The Applicant is a bona fide researcher (i.e. evidence that the researcher has relevant experience and qualifications);
• The research project is in conformity with both the Guiding Principles of CanPath and the informed consents signed by the Research Participants (see Sections 2 and 4a of the CanPath Access Policy);
• The Access Office has provided proof of administrative completeness and availability of CanPath Data and/or Biosamples

The Access Office assessment has established that the application meets the following requirements:

• The research study has been deemed scientifically sound;
• The existence of adequate resources to effectively complete the research project has been established (e.g. funding, collaborators and staff);
• Sufficient justification for the need for the CanPath Data and/or Biosamples requested has been provided;
• The provision of the requested biosamples is justified based on the assessment of the value of returned data, the scientific contribution of the research project, the potential impact of providing the samples on future needs for the biosamples and the risk of sample depletion.

Access Applications meeting the criteria for an Expedited Review are accepted on an ongoing basis and will be completed within approximately 4 months. This timeline is contingent on the applicant’s responsiveness throughout the process.

As noted in the CanPath Access Policy, the following criteria are used to determine if applications qualify for an Expedited Review:

• Requesting Harmonized Datasets;
• Low reputational risk based on the research question being addressed and its scientific merit;
• The project has been evaluated through a recognized scientific review or peer review process;
• There is evidence of financial support for the project; and
• The Research Team has sufficient membership and expertise to complete the analyses.

Note: With the exception of the first two points, applications do not need to meet all of these criteria to be considered for Expedited Review.

As noted in the CanPath Access Policy, Access Applications meeting any of the following criteria will require a Full Access Committee Review:

• Requests for data other than datasets listed as ‘Harmonized Data’;
• Access to biosamples are requested;
• Research question addresses a potentially contentious research question (e.g., compares outcomes by ethnicity or community, potentially negative impact on subsets of participants) or with a high risk of reidentification; or
• Request includes linkage to administrative health data.

Access Applications requiring a Full Access Committee Review are accepted on an ongoing basis.

National harmonized data from the CanPath COVID-19 Questionnaire is now available to researchers. Given the immediate need for pandemic research, CanPath has revised its expedited review process to provide researchers timely access to the COVID-19 data. Requests for access to the national COVID-19 Questionnaire dataset will be eligible for Expedited Review.

CanPath has a cost recovery access fees model suited to the different budgets of trainees, early-career researchers, and established researchers. Applicants are invited to complete a Cost Estimate Form and submit by email to apply@canpath.ca.

The Access Committee reviews and makes approval decisions on research applications submitted for CanPath Data and/or Biosamples. The committee is composed of independent members from across Canada who have expertise in such relevant fields as biostatistics, epidemiology, and genomics.