At 23andMe, we are dedicated to not only providing direct-to-consumer genetic testing, but also to advancing biomedical science through genetic research.
The 23andMe Research Innovation Collaborations Program pairs up academic researchers with 23andMe scientists to perform analyses. Through this program, academic researchers can access de-identified, aggregated data from the 23andMe Research Cohort.
The 23andMe Replications Program allows for academics to request for the 23andMe Research team to evaluate if a genotype-phenotype association found in a previous study eplicates in the 23andMe database.
We are not reviewing applications for our Research Innovation Collaborations or Replications programs at this time. We will keep this page up to date with new information about future application cycles as it becomes available. If you would like to be notified of our next review cycle, please complete the following form with your name, email address, institution, and an optional proposal summary.
The 23andMe Research Innovation Collaborations Program pairs up academic researchers with 23andMe scientists to power genetic discoveries, develop new analysis tools, and improve our interpretation of genetic data.
Your application will include the following information:
The 23andMe Replications Program offers for academics to test if their associations replicate in the 23andMe Research Cohort.
If you have performed a GWAS and would like a 23andMe scientist to test if your significant associations replicate in the 23andMe Research Cohort, please indicate that you are submitting a request for replication in your proposal. 23andMe will evaluate requests for feasibility on a rolling basis and reach out with next steps once your request has been approved.
Please consider the following when submitting a replication request:
Applications will be evaluated based on scientific quality, and innovativeness, expertise of the investigators, alignment with 23andMe company objectives, and quality and value of any complementary datasets/methodologies.
23andMe has over 15 million customers, over 80% of whom have consented to allow their aggregate, de-identified data to be used for research. This includes phenotypic data gathered through surveys and web-based assessments. Learn more about the types of phenotype data we collect here.
23andMe has enrolled large research cohorts representing diverse populations who have been genotyped and phenotyped, and have consented to participate in research. We welcome collaborators who contribute complementary datasets or methodological expertise to leverage these data and enable genetic research and discovery that is equitable for all.
Over the years, we have participated in dozens of collaborations with academic institutions on a wide variety of topics.
Our research team has published or collaborated on over 200 scientific papers. For a complete list, visit our Publications page.
Protecting the privacy of our research participants is of critical importance to 23andMe. Data sharing is structured to provide the same robust privacy protections that 23andMe research participants have as part of their normal participation in 23andMe Research. Only data from 23andMe customers who have accepted 23andMe’s IRB-approved consent document will be incorporated into any analysis. Only de-identified, aggregate data will be shared – no individual level data will be shared. All applicants should take this policy into consideration when designing the research approach.
Any data sharing will take place in accordance with the terms of the 23andMe Data Transfer Agreement between a collaborator, the collaborator’s institution, and 23andMe. Any actions taken by our collaborators that threaten the privacy of 23andMe research participants are grounds for termination of the collaboration and to other remedies described in such agreement.
