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Request data and biospecimens

Data and biospecimens are available through SFARI Base, a central database of clinical and genetic information about families affected by autism.

Applying for access

Complete the application to request data and biospecimens on SFARI Base. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions are available in the Researcher Welcome Packet. Please direct specific inquiries about obtaining access to the Research Liaison.

Required institutional documents

Please note that each principal investigator (PI) who wishes to conduct one or more research projects using SFARI data and/or materials must submit the following materials from his or her institution as part of a complete application:

  • A signed Researcher Distribution Agreement (RDA) for the PI and any collaborators. The RDA specifies the legal issues pertaining to research data and specimens, and requires approval from the PI's institution. A separate RDA is required for each collaborator.
  • A letter from an Institutional Review Board (IRB). Each SFARI project led by a PI must be governed by a protocol approved or exempted by an IRB. A protocol specifies the regulatory issues pertaining to the research, and may include co-investigators at multiple institutions. You will need to obtain a PDF copy of the letter from your IRB approving or exempting your protocol.


Application instructions

  1. Download the SSC RDA and the Simons VIP RDA, sign, and mail all RDAs to the Simons Foundation:
    ATTN: Research Liaison
    Simons Foundation
    160 Fifth Avenue, 7th Floor
    New York, NY 10010
  2. Obtain a PDF version of the letter(s) from your IRB approving or exempting your protocol(s) and upload it on SFARI Base.

To access SFARI Base, follow this link. You will receive regular email updates on the status of your application while it is under review. Once approved, you will be contacted to arrange for timely delivery of your requested data and/or materials.

Acknowledgement policy

All SFARI-funded and non-SFARI-funded investigators who use SSC/Simons VIP phenotypic data and/or biospecimens must acknowledge their use of the collection(s). The acknowledgement policy can be found here.