You can apply for THL Biobank data and samples either directly from the biobank or via the Finnish Biobank Cooperative (FinBB) Fingenious® service. If you wish to combine data and samples from several Finnish biobanks in your study, submit a joint application in the Fingenious® service.
Application process
Tutkijan polku THL Biopankin aineistoihin
1. Find samples and data suitable for your study
Explore THL Biobank Datasets and Samples
If needed, please contact: biopankki(at)thl.fi
2. Apply for samples and/or data via THL Biobank’s electronic application portal REMS (application only to THL Biobank) or via the Fingenious® service (joint application to all Finnish biobanks).
- THL Biobank application portal REMS: Application only to THL Biobank
- Fingenious® service: joint application to all Finnish biobanks
Application must include e.g.:
- research plan
- members of the research group
- specification of the requested material (data/samples)
- ethical aspects
- funding information
- publication plan
- data management plan
3. Sign a Material Transfer Agreement (MTA)
Attachments:
- General Terms of Use
- THL Biobank Safety and Information Security
- THL Biobank Data Protection Annex for Data Controller
For transfers of biobank data and samples outside the EU/EEA, EU Standard Contractual Clauses are used
Signatures are required from all organizations acting as data controllers.
4. If needed for your study, apply for a permit to access registry data via Findata
Project-specific registry permits are required if biobank data and samples are linked with national health registry data.
5. Receive the biobank data and samples you requested
Only pseudonymized data and samples are released for research.
Biological samples are delivered via a professional courier service.
Data are transferred using secure methods.
All additions or changes must be agreed with THL Biobank.
6. Pay the service fees
7. Acknowledge the biobank and sample donors in publications, e.g.:
"The samples/data used for the research were obtained from THL Biobank (study number: add your study number here). We thank all study participants for their generous participation in biobank research."
8. If agreed, return research results to THL Biobank at the end of the project.
New laboratory measurements or other derived datasets must be returned with sufficient documentation. New data is then made available for other researchers through the usual application process.