Data access scheme

The Wessex Data Access Scheme supports researchers across the region generate new insights from our region's growing portfolio of clinical datasets. The award aims to stimulate innovative analyses, novel methodologies and new research questions that maximise the value of NHS data to benefit our local populations and wider society. 

Applications open 3 June 2026 and close 10 July 2026.

We invite applications from researchers whose projects align with the priorities of the Wessex SDE and our wider objectives.

Successful applicants will:

• Gain rapid access to high quality and research ready datasets
• Reimagine existing data and explore new perspectives
• Champion data driven research within their organisations

Key eligibility:

• New research projects which analyse existing datasets OR bring new data assets into the SDE from across Wessex. Ideally, both. 
• Projects which enable new data to flow into the SDE, or improve the depth and quality of existing assets, are particularly encouraged. 
• Research questions aligned to available datasets in the Data Capabilities Register, and where data not yet in the SDE is needed please identify where that data sits within Wessex.

• Proposed research questions should demonstrate novel use of available data. Examples of existing studies can be found on the Data Use Register.

Funding support:

The SDE will provide in-kind technical and data-enablement support valued at £25K per project, for up to 10 projects (total programme value: £250,000) including

• Access to the SDE platform for one year (equivalent value £10K)
• Specialist support for data curation, research management, SDE upload and user onboarding (equivalent value £15K)
• Where a project brings new data into the SDE, the SDE will make resource available to support data location, extraction and transfer

This programme does not provide funding for research activity. Research teams are expected to resource their own staff time and institutional infrastructure. Exceptional proposals may be considered for additional data or resource requirements, within the overall programme envelope.