Research and Commercial Innovation

The Data Access Committee (DAC) reviews applications seekin to use te Anonymised Database, FLIP, or AIDE platforms for AI research and commercial innovation. No project may proceed without DAC approval.

Before applying , you should consult with the AI Centre Team . This will help determine the appropriate permission route as well as support you to ensure your application is completed effciently and effectively.

Before You Apply

The first step is ensuring that all necessary contracts are in place, as only individuals with a contractual appointment—either visiting or substantive—may apply to the DAC. 

You will need to complete a Project Initiation Document  and a Data Sharing Agreement. You are strongly encouraged to schedule a consultation with the Ethics and Information Governance team. This will help ensure that your project aligns with best practices in ethics and information governance, as well as the permissions granted to the AI Centre under the Health Research Authority’s ethical opinion. 

Submitting an Application

Once you have completed the Project Initiation Document and any other supporting documentation, submit them via email to the DAC. Your application will undergo an initial screening to verify completeness. Please note that this screening does not assess the likelihood of approval; it is solely to confirm that all required materials have been submitted. 

The DAC meets monthly, and completed applications must be submitted at least two weeks before the meeting.  

DAC Review Process

During the DAC meeting, your application will be reviewed. You may be invited to attend to provide further clarification or address any questions raised. While attendance is typically required only for novel or complex projects, participating may expedite the review process. You should not read anything into being invited (or not) to a meeting. You may request to attend if you wish. 

Following the review, the DAC will issue one of the following decisions:

Approved – Your project fully complies with all applicable information governance standards, legal requirements, and ethical opinions. No revisions or conditions are required, and the project may proceed as submitted. 

Approved with Conditions – Your project is approved, subject to specific mandatory modifications. These conditions must be met before final approval is granted. Typically, resubmissions under this category are reviewed by the Chair or a designated reviewer, without requiring a second DAC meeting. 

Not Approved – Your project does not meet the necessary ethics and/or information governance standards in its current form. Substantial modifications or redevelopment are required. Typically, resubmissions under this category are reviewed at a DAC meeting.

Rejected – Your project is fundamentally non-compliant with information governance standards, legal requirements, or ethical principles and cannot proceed in any form. 

You will receive notification of the DAC decision and all requirements and issues in writing within five working days of the DAC meeting at which you project was reviewed. 

After Approval

Reporting

All approved projects are required to submit reports on the progress of their project. This will include both written reports upon reaching milestones in the project as well as presenting to the Data Allocation Committee.

Making Changes After Approval

If you need to make changes to your project after approval you should contact the Ethics and Information Governance team as soon as possible. The DAC will need to be informed of all changes made to a project. The team will help you determine whether your proposed changes require formal approval from the DAC.