HDR UK announces funding call for data partners to join pilot real-world evidence network

Health Data Research UK (HDR UK) has announced a new funding call for Data Partners to join the pilot UK Real-World Evidence (RWE) network. This initiative aims to demonstrate the potential of the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership (OMOP) Common Data Model (CDM) in enabling efficient cross-nation research studies.

This pilot network is supported by a 12-month funding period from June 2024 – June 2025, during which all studies are expected to be completed. It aims to leverage health data from various UK sources for federated research studies, providing a proof-of-concept for a sustainable RWE network in the UK.

Following an initial funding call earlier this year, HDR UK established a pilot Real-World Evidence Network co-ordination center. This center is led by Daniel Prieto-Alhambra and his team at the University of Oxford, in partnership with HDR UK.

Network objectives and funding details

HDR UK is seeking to recruit up to seven healthcare Data Partners from across the UK to join this pilot network. These Data Partners will be required to:

• Have access to existing UK-based Real-World Data in OMOP-CDM versions 5.3 or 5.4
• Have the capability to run study code and return aggregated results
• Provide metadata and aggregated data for inclusion in the Health Data Research Innovation Gateway
• Participate in federated data analyses to address specific research questions.

The coordinating center will offer significant support to Data Partners, including providing executable code, overseeing the selection and coordination of research use cases, and resolving technical challenges.

HDR UK will fund each Data Partner through grant awards and reimbursement of actual costs incurred for meeting milestones related to onboarding, data characterization, and study participation. Specifically:

• Up to £10,000 for successful network onboarding
• Up to £20,000 for each completed study participation

The final date for submitting queries is August 16, 2024, and the deadline for applications is 12:00 BST on August 30, 2024.

This initiative is part of HDR UK's mission to enhance the use of trustworthy data for discoveries that improve lives. By adopting standards and common data models, the effort aims to improve data usability and interoperability in RWE generation.

The network builds on previous investments to harmonize data assets with the OMOP Common Data Model, including contributions from UK-based EHDEN Data Partners. It will also draw from international OMOP-based initiatives such as OHDSI and DARWIN-EU. The successful implementation of this pilot phase is expected to pave the way for further development and expansion based on the progress made and opportunities identified.