Longitudinal Population Studies at the Wellcome Trust Large Longitudinal Studies: design and methodology RSS 26 th October 2017 Erica Pufall, Population Health Science Portfolio Adviser
Longitudinal Population Studies (LPS) Strategy Published July 2017 Aim: To maximise the value of our long term investments in large scale LPS and ensure that they are translated into real health and social benefits. New funding mechanism to support and fund LPS, including cohorts, panel surveys and biobanks. To provide longer-term sustainable funding to existing studies and fund new studies. Report available online: https://wellcome.ac.uk/what-we-do/our-work/longitudinal-population-studies
Why? 1. Wellcome s reputation for excellence in population health is linked to our foresight in investing in large (longitudinal) studies. 2. LPS are a critical for health sciences and underpin much of our current understanding of the impact of interacting socioeconomic, environmental and biological factors on health. 3. New technologies such as omics, opportunities for data linkage, and the need for such studies to be conducted at scale means that we cannot fund the population studies needed to address the health challenges of the future on our own or without an underpinning strategy. 3
Why? 1. They are critical resources for the scientific community 2. 121 million investment in last 10 years in world-leading LPS 3. Opportunity: new technologies such as omics data linkage new and more efficient data collection methods 4. Investments were made through different routes without an overarching strategy 4
What? Longitudinal Population Studies in the UK and in LMIC cohorts biobanks demographic surveillance sites panel surveys networks of studies and usually >1,000 participants at baseline and require funding for a considerable length of time (>5y) 5
How? Aim 1: Fund LPS that contribute to improving human health Annual funding committee: apply 6 quality criteria, fund fewer more valuable resources more sustainably Aim 2: Encourage integration of LPS data from a variety of sources Support progress towards shared data resources to make better use of what we have Aim 3: Work in partnership with other funders when appropriate Shared quality criteria, co-ordinate funding decisions, encourage wider reforms 6
Aim 1: Fund LPS that contribute to improving human health Apply 6 quality criteria, fund fewer more valuable resources more sustainably Aim 2: Encourage integration of LS data from a variety of sources 1. Unique scientific impact & potential Support progress towards shared data resources to make better use 2. of Robust what we leadership have & governance structures 3. Effective recruitment, rigorous data & sample quality 4. Aim Data 3: Work as accessible in partnership as possible with other funders when appropriate 5. Maximised value through linkage with other data sources Shared quality criteria, co-ordinate funding decisions, encourage wider reforms 6. Meaningful engagement with external stakeholders 7
Aim 2: Encourage integration of LPS data from a variety of sources Support progress towards shared data resources to make better use of what we have Aim 2: Encourage integration of LS data from a variety of sources 1. How to link data from multiple sources new ethical & consent frameworks Support progress towards shared data resources to make better use of what we have exploiting & extending governance frameworks 2. Aim Driving 3: Work methodological in partnership improvements with other funders when appropriate data interoperability Shared quality criteria, co-ordinate funding decisions, encourage wider reforms accessibility analysis 8
How: Grant types 1. Core support for LPS Up to 5 million for 5 years Can include research questions but balance is on core costs Funding decision based on 6 criteria 2. Enabling structures for LPS Not normally expected to be over 1.5 million for up to 5 years Ways to improve analysis of complex data Regulatory or organisational changes that support data sharing Research that explores how multiple datasets can be linked efficiently Developing and championing new methods for data interoperability, accessibility and analysis Creating LPS networks 9
How: Funding call Timeline (one call per year) Call launched 23 rd Oct 2017 Deadline for preliminary applications 12 Jan 2018 Funding committee decision mid-july 2018 Contact us Strongly encouraged to contact Wellcome before applying. You MUST contact us if: New LPS Funding from multiple sources More than 5 m for core support grant More than 1.5 m for enabling structures grant 10
(Some of) our previous investments 11
Thank you e.pufall@wellcome.ac.uk