DARE UK enters its second phase
Categories: Data linkage programmes, Research using linked data, Press releases, ADR UK Partnership
23 September 2024
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has allocated £18.2 million for Phase 2 of the Data Analytics and Research Environments UK (DARE UK) programme. Taking place over 2.5 years, this phase will strengthen trusted research environments across the UK, better enabling approved researchers to securely access sensitive data for public good research. ADR UK and Health Data Research UK will continue to oversee the management and delivery of the programme.
Following a successful first phase, this second phase will see DARE UK significantly scaling its efforts. The focus will be on developing faster and safer research capabilities, including federated analysis and AI training. Key areas include:
- Transformational programmes: Establishing new research capabilities and demonstrating their impact.
- Next-generation proof of concepts: Creating prototypes for innovative research methods.
- Community building: Engaging a diverse range of stakeholders to share knowledge and establish best practice standards.
The programme will prioritise public involvement and engagement to ensure trust in sensitive data research.
Click here for further information on Phase 1
The DARE UK programme launched in July 2021 with £7.5 million for Phase 1. This phase successfully identified key gaps and established a direction for a national network of secure data research infrastructures through:
- Recommendations from public workshops to ensure trustworthy sensitive data research
- Strategic design recommendations outlining seven core needs for the UK’s data infrastructure
- An overview of the potential public benefits of sensitive data research
- Two project portfolios demonstrating the feasibility of essential concepts like trusted research environment standardisation and safe federated analysis (see Spirit Exemplar Projects and Driver Projects)
- Support for diverse communities promoting a cohesive sensitive data research ecosystem.
Phase 1 proved the feasibility and demand for tools to address ambitious interdisciplinary research questions, confirming that trusted research environments are vital for sensitive data research. Findings indicate an increasing scale and impact of such research, along with rising demand for necessary support services. DARE UK aims to meet this scientific ambition by enhancing the trusted research environment ecosystem in the UK with significant investment, innovation, and collaboration in Phase 2.
Dr Emma Gordon, Director of ADR UK, said: “With more data than ever before now available across the UK’s secure research infrastructures, it is imperative the DARE UK programme proceeds into this delivery phase. It is only by building new capabilities for a connected national network of secure data research infrastructures that we will facilitate researchers being able to examine the interplay of different parts of life on societal outcomes and make comparisons across different parts of the UK.”