---
title: How to apply to the biobank
url: https://breastcancernow.org/our-research/information-for-researchers/apply-to-our-biobank/how-to-apply-to-the-biobank
updated: 2026-04-30T12:36:28Z
---
[Back to Apply to our biobank](https://breastcancernow.org/our-research/information-for-researchers/apply-to-our-biobank)

1. [Home](https://breastcancernow.org/)
2. [Our research](https://breastcancernow.org/our-research)
3. [Information for researchers](https://breastcancernow.org/our-research/information-for-researchers)
4. [Apply to our biobank](https://breastcancernow.org/our-research/information-for-researchers/apply-to-our-biobank)

#
                    How to apply to the biobank

Find out how to apply to access our biobank.

To apply for cells for your studies, please visit our [cell culture bank](https://breastcancernow.org/our-research/information-for-researchers/apply-to-our-biobank/cell-culture-bank "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're received. We're 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've [read our guidance](https://breastcancernow.org/our-research/information-for-researchers/apply-to-our-biobank/guidance-for-biobank-applicants "Guidance for biobank applicants") before submitting your application.

[Apply now](https://biobank.bcc.qmul.ac.uk/surveys/?s=KEAEJ4RFRH "Apply now")

## Process for applying for data and biomaterial

1. **Search our collection**
Please use our [online tool](https://bcntb.bcc.qmul.ac.uk/SF/) to search the collection. Please also check our [Analytics Hub](https://bcntb.bcc.qmul.ac.uk/analytics/) for availability of sequencing data for BCNTB samples that match your requirements.
2. Read our [guidance for biobank applicants](https://breastcancernow.org/our-research/information-for-researchers/apply-to-our-biobank/guidance-for-biobank-applicants "Guidance for biobank applicants") page.
3. **Submit an Expression of interest (EOI)**

    Please use our [online portal](https://biobank.bcc.qmul.ac.uk/surveys/?s=KEAEJ4RFRH) 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.
4. **Principal Investigator (PI) Call**

    Following the submission of your EOI, the Breast Cancer Now Biobank (BCNB) 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've found that this speeds up the review process and the likelihood that your application will be successful.
5. **Submit a full application**

    Following the PI call, we'll 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.
6. **Access Committee review**

    A light-touch review is conducted to ensure patient benefit and that there is no risk to releasing the samples.
7. **Decision**
We aim to let you know the outcome of your application within 4 weeks of submission.
8. **Sample preparation**
This is started as soon as possible after the request has been approved, and is usually completed before a Material Transfer Agreement and/or a Data Transfer Agreement has/have been signed.
9. **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 BCNB team and the applicant.

## Find out more

For further details, please contact our biobank team.

[Contact us](mailto:biobank@breastcancernow.org)

## Read more

![, Biobank](https://d24otazn342w10.cloudfront.net/externalApps/06f289b5-a938-410c-a4c1-ec23427f38f5/conversion/card/assets/13380)

###
                        [Apply to our biobank](https://breastcancernow.org/our-research/information-for-researchers/apply-to-our-biobank)

Are you a researcher? Learn more about how to apply to our biobank.

![, Biobank](https://d24otazn342w10.cloudfront.net/externalApps/06f289b5-a938-410c-a4c1-ec23427f38f5/conversion/card/assets/13325)

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                        [Cell culture bank](https://breastcancernow.org/our-research/information-for-researchers/apply-to-our-biobank/cell-culture-bank)

Find out about the samples we offer, and the recoverable costs. And read our helpful FAQ section.

![, Biobank](https://d24otazn342w10.cloudfront.net/externalApps/06f289b5-a938-410c-a4c1-ec23427f38f5/conversion/card/assets/13371)

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                        [Biobank samples](https://breastcancernow.org/our-research/information-for-researchers/apply-to-our-biobank/biobank-samples)

Discover the samples our biobank has available for you to order. And find out about the archival collection.