VA Cooperative Studies Program (CSP)
Additional information about requesting access to CSP research resources
Qualified researchers can access CSP research resources including study participant contact information, data, and biospecimens. Request Access to CSP Research Resources page provides a list of CSP studies with available study participant contact information, data, and biospecimens. Researchers can access these CSP research resources following approval of a request.
Requirements for access
Participating studies’ research resources are available to VA and non-VA researchers, through their institution. Requesters will need documentation of institutional support as part of the final approval process.
For selected CSP studies, investigators may initiate the request process by submitting a Research Resource Request form to the study’s point of contact. The data steward may ask the requesting investigator to submit a more in-depth application. For CSP studies not listed, we suggest checking the study’s clearinghouse webpage, point of contact, and publications for information on a public dataset, data repository, or website where data might be available.
Your request is reviewed for scientific and administrative content. Additional documents may be required, including institutional approval(s) of the research by your institution, a CSP Data Use Agreement (DUA) signed by your institutional officials, and other data security and material use documentation.
CSP requires that investigators and their institution maintain the confidentiality of data and biospecimens in accordance with requirements related to individual privacy, informed consent, authorization for use and disclosure of protected health information (PHI), Institutional Review Board oversight, and information security.
Possible costs
There may be costs to the investigator for some requests depending on the source study, nature of the request, type of research being conducted, and impact on CSP staff.
Ways to use research resources
- Conduct secondary analysis on existing data
- Perform new analysis on existing biospecimens
- Link with other research data, including but not limited to the National Death Index (NDI) and Medicare-Medicaid data
Timeline
Contact the study directly for timeline details specific to your request.
About us & email
Providing streamlined access to CSP research resources is one component of the Integrated Veteran Epidemiologic Study Data Resource (INVESTD-R) project.
Email questions to INVESTDR@va.gov. We'll respond within 3 business days.
