Working with MOST Data

MOST aims to support high-quality, timely research that maximizes the value of its rich, longitudinal dataset. Investigators are encouraged to submit proposals that are scientifically sound and pose minimal to no adverse impact on the main study or its participants. All proposals, whether for analyses of existing data or for new data collection, must undergo a formal review and approval process.

Research Proposals

Who Can Submit a Research Proposal?

Research proposals must be submitted for review prior to beginning initiating a study, accessing MOST data, or conducting any analysis. This requirement applies to:

Members of the MOST Executive and Steering Committees
Investigators listed on MOST grants
Mentees, trainees, and other collaborators not formally affiliated with the Executive or Steering Committees

Researchers outside of MOST are also welcome to submit proposals. However, they must partner with at least one funded MOST investigator from one of the four participating sites:

University of Iowa (UIowa)
University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)
University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM)

Types of Research Proposals

Analysis Plan: An analysis plan refers to a proposal that uses only existing data collected under the core MOST protocol. These projects do not include the collection of new data or contact with participants and typically involve secondary analyses of existing datasets.
Ancillary Study: Ancillary studies propose to collect new data from or about MOST participants through procedures not included in the core study. This may involve:
1. Adding new measures to existing or future study visits
2. Re-contacting participants for additional information
3. Conducting assays on stored biospecimen
4. Analyzing raw imaging, gait, sensor, or accelerometry data

All ancillary studies must be reviewed and approved by a majority vote of the MOST Executive Committee.

All MOST publications (manuscripts, abstracts, and conference presentations) must be associated with an approved Research Proposal and have an assigned Research Proposal number (APXX-XX or ASXX-XX).

Research Proposal Submission Process

Research proposals can be submitted to the MOST Executive Committee via this online submission form. A list of measurements collected at each study visit can be found here: MOST Table of Measures (PDF).

Research proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis as they are received. However, if a research proposal approval request is directly related to a grant application, the MOST EC must review and approve a draft of the funding application and budgets prior to submission. This should be in the hands of the MOST EC at least 4 weeks prior to the submission deadline to allow time for review and revisions. A MOST EC letter of support for a grant application will not be provided without an approved research proposal.

Additionally, if a research proposal is intended to result in an abstract, it must be submitted to MOST a minimum of 6 weeks prior to abstract deadline (a minimum of 10 weeks prior to an abstract deadline for the ACR and OARSI meetings) to allow time for review, possible revision of the plan, and data analysis.

Research Proposals Involving MOST Biospecimen

Investigators who wish to access MOST biospecimen collected during previous study cycles must submit an application through the NIA Biobank website. These proposals will be treated as ancillary studies. MOST biospecimen are a limited resource and the EC will evaluate requests based on the scientific merit of the proposal and the investigator’s ability to justify the use of these scarce samples. Proposals must demonstrate both scientific rigor and feasibility using MOST data. If the research proposal is associated with a grant application, the Biobank can provide a letter confirming sample availability. However, this letter does not guarantee sample access. The Biobank will not reserve samples unless the research proposal has been formally approved by the EC.