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New Project/Study TOPMed Expectations and Requirements

This page provides the TOPMed expectations and requirements for new TOPMed Projects and/or Study PIs. The graphic below provides the basic flow and key tasks when a TOPMed Project and/or Study PI is onboarding. Downloadable new project/study onboarding checklists are available by clicking the button below. It is especially important for each TOPMed Project and/or Study PI to identify a person responsible for communicating with the IRC and sequencing centers.  If you have any questions, please contact the TOPMed ACC at topmed-admin@westat.com. 

TOPMed New Project/Study Onboarding Checklists

Join TOPMedTOPMed WebsiteChecklist #1Within a month of awardStart early as it can take up to 12 months to completeChecklist #2Register TOPMedStudy in dbGaP Studies cannot submit any data to IRC or sequencing centers or dbGaP without a dbGaP accountSample Prep and Shipment Data SharingChecklist #4Checklist #4Checklist #3Checklist #4 Within six months of awardConditional Approval Need:Intuitional Certifcation for X01 before talking to sequencing centersCommunication and Coordination with Data Production ContractorsIRCReceive TOPMed molecular sample IDs from IRC and assign to subjectsDeposit phenotype data into TOPMed or prior dbGaP accessionThese files can be submitted to dbGaP at the same time as the files are sent to the Data Production ContractorsNHLBI Genomic Program Administrators (GPAS)Provide institutional certification for genomic data sharing covering all potential samplesData Production ContractorsThis step cannot start without the prior steps completionCommunicate promptly with all data production contractorsSubmit other required files to TOPMed dbGaP accessionTOPMed OmicsProvide additional metadata (sample attributes files and protocol documents to dbGaP)These tasks can happen at the same time-concurrently - simultaneously - in other words no reason to wait to start the next tasks

  • To access pre-release data in the TOPMed Exchange Areas (EAs) on dbGaP, identify key study personnel to nominate to the list of investigators eligible to apply for such access, the “DAC” list 
  • Obtain any letters of collaboration and IRB approvals required to initiate a dbGaP application

Sample Tracking
  • Maintain prompt and responsive communication with all data production contractors
Data Sharing
Data Access
  • Maintain/update (yearly) any letters of collaboration and IRB approvals required to maintain dbGaP approvals
Data Use
  • Per the TOPMed Publications Policy, submit all paper proposals, conference abstracts, and manuscripts using TOPMed data to the appropriate online submission system
  • Proactively communicate and collaborate with investigators of studies whose data you propose to use for a given manuscript
  • After submitting a paper proposal, use the online data set request form to request permission to use specific study-consent groups
Consortium Activities
  • Participate in scientific review of paper proposals
  • Review (approve or disapprove) requests to use your study’s data in paper proposals
  • Participate in manuscript final checks for those that use your study’s data
  • Participate in Working Groups
  • Participate in Committees, based on interest and/or invitation
  • Attend TOPMed All Hands calls
  • Attend TOPMed in-person and virtual meetings

  • Fulfill prerequisites for inclusion of study’s WGS data in a TOPMed freeze
  • Respond to requests to address any sample identity or other issues that arise during the course of sample QC
  • Review dbGaP preview sites when circulated by dbGaP curators
  • Respond to requests for study inclusion in various TOPMed data resources

  • Fulfill prerequisites for sharing of study’s omics data
  • Respond to requests for updates to sample metadata files
  • Respond to requests to address any sample identity or other issues that arise during the course of sample QC
  • Review dbGaP preview sites when circulated by dbGaP curators