Ancillary Studies

A National Institutes of Health (NIH) ancillary study builds on a primary NIH-funded study by using data, biospecimens, or participant contacts to examine research questions not addressed in the original study. For this reason, an ancillary study must not interfere with or overlap the primary objectives of the main study.

RECOVER ancillary studies allow researchers inside and outside of the RECOVER Consortium to answer important questions about Long COVID. These studies may use RECOVER biospecimens (such as blood, saliva, and urine) or combinations of biospecimens and data to answer research questions beyond the main RECOVER study objectives (protocols).

The RECOVER Initiative includes 3 observational cohort studies representing different participant groups:

• Adults (including women who were pregnant after 2020)
• Children and adolescents (pediatric)
• Deceased people, also known as the tissue pathology (autopsy) cohort

Ancillary studies may use data and biospecimens collected from participants in these 3 cohorts, but may also include the collection of additional data, biospecimens, or both.

Researchers within or beyond the RECOVER Consortium may request approval for an ancillary study by submitting a proposal to the RECOVER Ancillary Studies Oversight Committee (ASOC).

Before submitting, interested researchers should review the ancillary studies Review Process and Guidance (PDF, 6 pages). This document explains the proposal process, including what ASOC looks for in their review.

ASOC approval is required only for investigators who are requesting:

• Biospecimens, or
• Letters of support for a grant proposal.

The RECOVER Initiative encourages ancillary study proposals, as described on this page. Investigators should obtain independent funding to carry out the proposed research, with ASOC approval. 

Review open RECOVER funding opportunities.

You can submit ancillary study proposals through the online portal using your user login. Review the questions included in the RECOVER ancillary studies proposals submission form (PDF, 12 pages).

The ASOC reviews proposals monthly. However, different timelines apply depending on whether you already have independent funding for your proposed study.

If you already have independent funding

You need ASOC approval to access RECOVER biospecimens. Proposals must be submitted at least 4 weeks before the 15th of each month to be included in the next ASOC review cycle.

If your ancillary study proposal is part of an application for independent funding

ASOC can provide a letter of support if your external funding is approved. Submit your proposal at least 8 weeks before the funding application deadline to allow time for ASOC to review and provide the letter. If you receive funding, update ASOC with your funding details, including the project’s start date and duration.

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

Submit study application

RECOVER scientists use BioData Catalyst® (BDC), the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)'s cloud-based research ecosystem, to store and analyze the scientific data they collect.

Three RECOVER datasets are currently hosted on BDC: one from the adult observational cohort study, one from the pediatric observational cohort study, and one from the tissue pathology (autopsy) study.

Information about exploring RECOVER data is available with a login. Requesting access to deidentified individual participant data for scientific analysis within BDC requires authorization and a login.

Explore Data on BDC

Submitting an Application

The following resources are available to support your ancillary study application:

• Ancillary Studies Framework for Post‐COVID Conditions Under Longitudinal Follow‐Up in RECOVER (RECOVER 2.0) (PDF, 4 pages): Ancillary studies framework for longitudinal follow-up.
• ASOC: Proposal Questions (PDF, 12 pages): Requirements for submitting a proposal for a RECOVER ancillary study.
• Biorepository Inventory Summary (PDF, 12 pages): List of available biospecimens for RECOVER ancillary studies.
• Data Resources: RECOVER observational cohort study materials, including:
  • Study design papers
  • Primary results publications
  • Protocols
  • Participant questionnaires
• Gaps and Opportunities to Inform Long COVID Research (PDF, 2 pages): List of current and emerging considerations for Long COVID research proposals.
• The NIH RECOVER Program Announces Plan to Request Ancillary Studies (NOT-HL-25-027): Invitation for investigators to submit RECOVER-related ancillary studies proposals.
• Publications: An annotated, searchable list of peer-reviewed RECOVER study publications.
• Pathobiology Studies: Awarded projects and associated funding opportunities.

Accessing Data

The following resources are available for accessing RECOVER observational cohort study data:

• How to Request and Access Datasets from dbGaP: Frequently asked questions about requesting access to NIH’s database of Genotypes and Phenotypes (dbGaP).
• Patient-centered Information Commons: Standardized Unification of Research Elements (PIC-SURE): Public portal featuring de-identified, aggregated data from RECOVER adult/pregnancy, pediatric, and tissue pathology (autopsy) observational cohort studies.
• PIC-SURE YouTube channel: Training videos providing user guidance.
• RECOVER Data References and Access Information: Data dictionaries, data release notes, and data use agreements for the RECOVER adult/pregnancy, pediatric, and tissue pathology (autopsy) observational cohort studies.