23andMe Publication Dataset ACCESS PROGRAM
At 23andMe, we are committed to supporting genetic research by providing access to data featured in our publications. We offer full GWAS summary statistics at no cost to researchers at academic and nonprofit institutions through a Data Transfer Agreement as an additional safeguard to protect our participants' privacy and data.
How to Submit a Request
Non-Profit Institutions
Complete the 23andMe Publication Dataset Access Request Form for review. Upon submission, we will generate a Statement of Work (SOW) that will allow 23andMe to transfer data to you for use in the research project you describe. The SOW and DTA require signature by your institution and 23andMe before data can be shared.
If you are collaborating with investigators at multiple institutions and those institutions must also receive copies of 23andMe summary statistics, please have a PI from each institution fill out the form to ensure all parties receive access to datasets within a similar timeframe.
Having difficulty accessing the form? Refer to FAQ "I can't access the form. How do I submit my request?" for guidance.
Commercial Institutions
Contact bd@23andme.com or visit our partnering page to learn more about accessing 23andMe summary statistics.
Additional Information and Requirements
- 23andMe data cannot be distributed, shared, or sold to third parties.
- Researchers must commit to publishing their research results in open-access scientific journals (or open-access articles) and according to 23andMe's publication best practices. Currently, those best practices only allow for the publication of summary statistics for up to 10,000 SNPs; this applies to meta-analyses that include 23andMe data.
- Researchers may not file for intellectual property rights covering the results of research using 23andMe data.
- Requests for 5 or more GWAS datasets may require additional information to be submitted for review by the 23andMe team.
FAQS
Request Process
Access to Google forms is required to submit a request. If you cannot access the form, please check your browser settings or contact your institution's IT team to obtain access.
To complete the Publication Dataset Access Request Form you'll need:
- Author, title, year, and journal of the publication with the 23andMe GWAS summary statistics you would like to request
- Intended use of the GWAS data (Polygenic Risk Scores, Meta-Analysis, Identifying drug targets)
- A project proposal including title, hypothesis, non-technical research summary, and proposed analyses
- Publication plans and timelines
- List of researchers at your institution who need data access
- Information on collaborators at other institutions who need data access
- Communicate with your institution's contracts office as soon as possible to coordinate legal document signatures.
- Inform collaborators at other institutions that they will also need to submit a request.
Once 23andMe has received a complete and correct request form, we generate a template agreement and SOW within 10 business days. Once 23andMe receives the DTA and/or SOW signed by your institution, it takes approximately 4 weeks for 23andMe to review and sign.
For additional questions or concerns, please contact apply.research@23andme.com with the subject line "Question about Publication Dataset Access". Please note, if you are looking for an update on an existing request, we can only answer requests from a project's Principal Investigator.
Legal
We require the PI and an institution signing official to sign a Data Transfer Agreement (DTA) and Statement of Work (SOW). The DTA protects the privacy of our participants' data, and the SOW outlines how you plan to use the summary statistics.
Dataset Access & Analysis
We provide de-identified summary statistics from published 23andMe GWAS for use in your research through a data transfer agreement.
Only individuals listed in your request form and affiliated with your institution may access the summary statistics.
23andMe allows for the publication of summary statistics for up to 10,000 SNPs; this applies to meta-analyses that include 23andMe data. We ask that manuscripts including 23andMe data be submitted to a journal within 2 years of receiving data through our collaboration programs.