In the tradition of providing unique opportunities for scientific investigation, we invite interested researchers to learn more about opportunities for collaboration with us.

The Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS) has a long history of successful collaborations with investigators outside of Arbor Research Collaborative for Health. We are committed to collaboration with external investigators to maximize the scientific value of the wealth of data made possible by all the participating facilities and patients.

There are generally three types of collaborative and ancillary studies:

1. Studies to perform novel analyses of core DOPPS data. These studies may include:
   1. Release of a limited data set to an investigator for independent analyses
   2. Analyses conducted by Arbor Research to address a scientific question from an investigator
2. Studies that collect new data not captured as part of the core study
3. Implementation of the core DOPPS, PDOPPS or CKDopps protocol in a new country

Funding

Ancillary studies are supported by sources outside the DOPPS and must be independently funded by the investigator or by resources obtained by the investigator. Similarly, implementation of the core study in a new country typically requires obtaining country-level funding for participation. Examples of ancillary study funding sources may include:

• Governmental research grants or awards
• Institutional or foundation grants
• Private sources such as industry

We encourage you to contact us early in the process of obtaining external funding so that we may assist you in determining if this study vehicle is appropriate for the research intended.

Many of the data elements in the DOPPS have been collected consistently since the start of the study in 1996. Harmonized data collection has been implemented in PDOPPS and CKDopps. A high-level overview of data elements include:

Data and analytic support are available to qualified researchers for approved scientific uses. To make the best possible use of this important resource, the DOPPS Steering Committee encourages investigators, whether or not previously affiliated with the DOPPS, to submit proposals for collaboration and ancillary studies.

Investigators wishing to develop a partnership with the DOPPS Research Group are asked to initially submit a letter of intent using the template below.

These will be reviewed on a rolling basis by the DOPPS Research Group. Applicants will be contacted within approximately 2 weeks for further discussion of the proposed research project and a review of the formal application process.