Researcher frequently asked questions

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Access

VA researchers can apply for access through the funding opportunities in the Office of Research and Development. VA researchers can also apply for select types of non-VA federal funding. 

MVP research with individual-level data in VA computing environments is conducted by investigators on VA time or on VA property. Researchers must be either serving on VA-compensated, Without Compensation (WOC), or IPA appointments to perform MVP research.

VA Funding:

VA funding is available through the traditional Merit Review process.

Non-VA Funding:

Select types of non-VA funding may only be from another federal agency for the purpose of conducting research. For further details, please refer to the intranet version of this page (copy and paste this link into your browser: https://vaww.research.va.gov/funding/electronic-submission.cfm). This page is not available to the public. VA funding is available to VA investigators only.

Researchers within VA can use the Data Explorer in GenHub to understand what data is available and assess feasibility for potential projects. This tool provides general counts of the MVP participants with specific characteristics or demographics of interest, so that you can see the sample size available for statistical analysis. Note: Access is only available to VA system users.

For any questions on GenHub Data Explorer, please reach out to Genisis Support at GenisisSupport@va.gov.

MVP makes data available to researchers from the analysis of blood specimens of hundreds of thousands of Veterans; however, direct access to biospecimens is not available.

You may not access the MVP data as a fellow, but you can be added to your PI’s approved project as collaborator with proper IRB approvals.

The VA’s Office of Research and Development funds intramural research by VA clinicians and researchers. We do not fund graduate research projects. However, you may reach out to VA researchers who are currently working on MVP projects and interested in a possible collaboration.

There are many analysis tools available in the Genisis computing environment for approved projects. You will be given research space and access to all analysis tools in the computing environment when all necessary approvals are in place. Note: Access is only available to VA system users. 

Access to aggregate data and summary statistics are available in the NIH dbGaP resource.

We do not release individual-level data outside the VA system.

About

Please visit Our Impact: In Research to learn more about some of MVP’s research projects. 

The Centralized Interactive Phenomics Resource (CIPHER) is an online knowledge-sharing platform that aims to optimize electronic health record (EHR) data for use in research and clinical operations. CIPHER contains computable phenotype definitions, or clinical characteristics defined within electronic health records data such as diseases, medications, or labs. CIPHER also contains data visualization tools and resources for phenotype development. CIPHER does not contain any Veteran data or any other patient data. MVP projects that develop phenotypes or algorithms are required to deposit them into CIPHER. 

MVP supports research across a broad domain of clinical conditions, including clinically adjudicated laboratory measures, ICD rules-based phenotypes, complex diseases, and longitudinal phenotypes. Investigators with an MVP-approved project can access curated MVP data elements within their project workspace following VA project requirements. Additional details regarding phenotype definitions curated by MVP can be found by visiting the CIPHER Phenotype Knowledgebase, filtering the catalog of phenotypes by data source used, and selecting “Million Veteran Program.” 

MVP does not permit gene editing, including CRISPR CAS-9, on the collected biospecimens. Any future research in this area would require participants to be recontacted and reconsented for a specific research study. 

Resources

You can find information about the genotype array on GenHub. Note: Access is only available to VA system users. 

There are thousands of data elements available in MVP, including ICD codes and validated phenotypes for complex diseases. To view all phenotype definitions curated by MVP, please visit the CIPHER Phenotype Knowledgebase and filter phenotypes by data source used: Million Veteran Program. Investigators working with MVP data can access these definitions within their project workspace. 

MVP does not collect other measurements, such as walking and grip strength, or body compositions such as fat mass, body weight, or BMI. However, participants allow permission to access their health records which may contain information on these measurements. 

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