Find out how to apply to access our Tissue Bank.

To apply for Cells, please visit our Cell Culture Bank. 

Who can apply

Applications may be submitted at any time by researchers in the UK and Ireland and will be reviewed in the order they are received. We are reviewing applications from outside of the UK and Ireland and commercial organisations on a case-by-basis.

Funding and peer review approval for the proposed research must be obtained prior to applying for material.

Make sure you have read our guidance before submitting your application.

Apply now

Tissue and Data Request - Application Process Summary

  1. Search our collection
    Please use our online tool to search the collection. Please also check our Analytics Hub for availability of sequencing data for BCNTB samples that match your requirements.
  2. Submit an EOI

    Please use our online portal to complete an EOI.

    Please make a note of your return code which will allow you to go back and edit your EOI before submitting.

    A PDF of your EOI form will be emailed to you when you submit.

  3. PI Call

    Following the submission of your EOI, the BCNTB team will contact you to arrange a suitable time for a call with one of our PIs.

    All applications are reviewed by a PI and most include a teleconference between the PI and the applicant(s) to review the request and refine it. We have found this speeds up the review process and the likelihood that your application will be successful.

  4. Submit a full application

    Following the PI call, we will email you to invite you to submit a full application via our online portal based on your conversation with one of our PIs.

    Please make a note of your return code which will allow you to go back and edit your application before submitting.

    A PDF of your application form will be emailed to you when you submit.

  5. Tissue Access Committee review

    A light-touch review is conducted to ensure patient benefit and that there is no risk to releasing the samples. Please refer to our governance or see the Tissue Access Policy for more information.

  6. Decision
    We aim to let you know the outcome of your application within four weeks of submission.
  7. Sample Preparation
    This is started as soon after the request has been approved as possible and is usually completed before a Material Transfer Agreement and/or a Data Transfer Agreement have been signed.
  8. Samples released
    Samples will be dispatched once the Material Transfer Agreement and/or the Data Transfer Agreement have been signed, within a timeframe agreed by the BCNTB team and the applicant.

For further details please contact the BCNTB team at tissue.bank@breastcancernow.org