Frequently Asked Questions

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ABCD FAQHBCD FAQ

Data Use Certification (DUC)

What should I do with data I have downloaded from the NIMH Data Archive (NDA)?

All ABCD data associated with an NDA DUC must be deleted no later than the DUC expiration date.

Previously, the DUC allowed multiple individuals at our institution to access the data. Will each person at my institution now require their own DUC?

While individuals can obtain their own DUCs, a group-level DUC is recommended. This approach allows all recipients to be listed together. A dashboard allows the lead investigator to manage the addition or removal of recipients.

Will trainees (e.g., graduate students, post-docs) have their own DUC?

Trainees must be included on an investigator-led group DUC.

Does the institutional signing official need to sign off for every individual that completes the DUC?

Yes, an institutional signing official must sign off on each DUC in order for all recipients to gain access to the data. If new recipients are added onto a group DUC, the institutional signing official must re-sign the updated DUC.

Is there a process to ensure faculty mentor approval for students (e.g., undergraduates, post-baccalaureate students)?

The group-level DUC facilitates this process as the lead investigator will oversee trainees and others listed under the DUC and is responsible for ensuring their compliance with its terms and conditions.

Can I access earlier ABCD data releases?

No, prior ABCD data releases are not available on the NBDC platform. As a reminder, each data release is cumulative and includes data from all previous timepoints.

What steps are required if someone with a DUC moves to a new institution?

DUCs are not transferable between institutions. Recipients must notify the NBDC platform at nbdc@mail.nih.gov when moving to a new institution. A new DUC must then be submitted with appropriate sponsorship from the new institution to retain access. For group-level DUCs, the lead investigator may designate another lead investigator at the original institution as a replacement.

Can we still use the 5.1 ABCD data release under the NDA DUC?

Yes, you may use the 5.1 data until your NDA DUC expires. At that time, all data associated with that DUC must be deleted.

For publication transparency, how should I cite past ABCD Study data releases?

Each past data release prior to the 6.0 data release has a unique Digital Object Identifier (DOI) that is indexed on the NIMH Data Archive (NDA). To properly cite data from a past release, please use the DOI associated with that specific release. Citing the correct DOI ensures accurate attribution and supports transparency and reproducibility.

If I obtain a DUC to access data from American Indian/ Alaska Native participants (A-DUC) after receiving general DUC approval, which expiration date applies?

If you have both a general DUC and an A-DUC, they will be linked and the A-DUC will have the same expiration date as the general DUC.

What security standards do I need to access NBDC data?

Your institution must comply with federal security standards—specifically NIST SP 800-171 or equivalent ISO/IEC 27001/27002 standards. View the NIST Security Compliance Requirements.

Which email address should I use for my NIH Signing Official when submitting my Data Access Request to the NBDC Data Sharing system?

For NIH Users Only: Use the “Short” Email Format for Your Signing Official. When completing your Data Access Request in the NBDC Data Hub, you may use any NIH email for your own contact information. However, when entering the email address of your NIH Institutional Signing Official (business official), you must use their “short” NIH email format. This format ensures proper routing and validation within NIH systems.

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For example, if your signing official’s name is Jane Smith,  their email could be either:

Please enter: smithj@nih.gov