Expanding the impact of RECOVER

What are ancillary studies?

NIH defines an ancillary study as an independent research project that uses data or samples from a parent study to extend knowledge in scientific areas beyond the original scope of the parent study. An ancillary study may require additional data or sample collection, and it cannot interfere with the primary objectives of the parent study.

RECOVER ancillary studies allow more researchers within and beyond RECOVER to find answers to important questions about Long COVID. These studies will use RECOVER data or samples to answer research questions that are not included in the main RECOVER study designs (protocols).

RECOVER data includes data from participants enrolled in:

• RECOVER adult (including pregnant adults) and pediatric observational cohorts
• RECOVER tissue pathology, also known as the autopsy cohort study

An ancillary study may use:

• Data from the three RECOVER cohort studies, and/or
• Biospecimens (e.g. blood, saliva, and urine) collected from RECOVER cohort study participants

Submit Study Application

Who may apply?

Researchers both within and outside of the RECOVER Consortium may request approval for an ancillary study by submitting a proposal to the RECOVER Ancillary Studies Oversight Committee (ASOC). Before submitting a proposal, please review the Ancillary Studies Instructions (PDF, 362 KB). This document provides key details about the proposal process, including what the ASOC looks for in their review. In general, ASOC approval is only required for investigators requesting RECOVER biospecimens or letters of support for a NIH grant proposal.

Does RECOVER fund ancillary studies?

Currently, the RECOVER Initiative does not have a mechanism to fund ancillary study proposals. Once approved by ASOC, investigators will need to obtain independent funding to carry out the proposed research.

How do I submit a proposal for an ancillary study?

Ancillary study proposals are submitted through an online portal that requires a user login. The ASOC reviews RECOVER ancillary study proposals monthly. View the ancillary study proposal questions (PDF, 328 KB).

If your ancillary study proposal is for research already supported by external funding, you will need ASOC review and approval to access RECOVER biospecimens. You must submit your ancillary study proposal at least 4 weeks before the 15th of each month to be included in the ASOC’s next review.

If your ancillary study proposal is part of an application for external funding, such as external NIH funding, ASOC can provide a letter of support if your proposal is approved. The ASOC recommends that you submit your proposal at least 8 weeks before the funding application deadline to ensure timely delivery of a letter of support. If your proposed ancillary study is funded, you will need to update the ASOC with information about the funding, including the funding start date and duration of the project.

If you have additional questions about ancillary studies email RECOVER_AncillaryStudies@rti.org.

Submit Study Application

How do I access the RECOVER study data?

RECOVER scientists use BioData Catalyst (BDC), the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s (NHLBI’s) cloud-based research ecosystem, to store and analyze the scientific data they collect. BDC currently hosts a dataset from the RECOVER adult cohort study. BDC provides instructions for finding and viewing RECOVER data as well as the steps to request authorization to use de-identified individual participant data for scientific analysis within BDC.

Visit RECOVER on BDC

Ancillary Study Resources