How to apply to access the SDE
Tell us about your project and your data needs. Discover data, analyse it securely and enhance your health research.
We provide a single access route for approved researchers
Researchers can request access to de-identified health data and use the Eastern England SDE secure platform to analyse it. You can also choose to bring your own datasets into the SDE and use the same secure tools and infrastructure to carry out your analysis.
We provide a clear, structured process that’s designed to ensure secure, ethical and efficient access to health data.
During registration, we will:
- Confirm your organisational affiliation and researcher identity
- Check that your organisation meets national data-security and governance standards
- Ensure you understand the appropriate use of NHS health data
- Issue a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA), if required.
Being registered confirms you are eligible to apply for access, but it does not guarantee that your project or data request will be approved.
Apply to be a registered researcher
To work within the Eastern England SDE, all researchers and their organisations must complete the SDE Network registration process, in line with the NHS Research SDE Network Registration Service. This process ensures that only appropriately qualified and trusted researchers access the secure environment.
If your project is considered in scope, you’ll be asked to complete a Data Access Request Form, where you will provide information about:
- your study aims and methodology
- your data needs
- required platform tools
- how you plan to involve patients and the public in your work
This initial stage helps us understand your requirements and ensure your project can progress through the next steps.
Get started with your application
Start by submitting an enquiry to outline your project and your data and platform requirements. This helps our team understand what you’re hoping to achieve and whether the SDE is the right environment for your work.
Once we receive your enquiry our team reviews your request and may invite you to a short discovery call to explore your project in more detail.
During this stage:
- We assess data availability, your technical requirements, and any support you may need.
- We prepare initial costings based on the scope of your project and the level of platform or analytical support required.
This ensures clarity on what is possible and what your project is likely to need before any formal review takes place.
Feasibility and costings
Once we have your Data Access Request Form, we check whether your project is technically and operationally feasible within the SDE.
This includes:
- Information Governance review to confirm compliance with all legal, regulatory and ethical standards.
- Consideration by the Data Access Committee, which brings together patient representatives and subject matter experts. The Committee reviews whether the request demonstrates clear public benefit; data minimisation and proportionality; and the ethical and governance considerations related to your study.
Only once all reviews are complete and approval is granted can your project proceed to onboarding.
Review and approvals
Your application then moves into full governance and ethical review.
Onboarding
If your application is approved, we’ll help you get your project up and running in the SDE.
This includes:
- Setting up your secure research workspace with the right tools, permissions and data in place.
- Providing guidance and support on using the platform, accessing data, and delivering your project in the SDE.
Our team works with you to ensure a smooth start so you can begin your analysis quickly and confidently.
Enquire about access
If you are a researcher with a project that requires use of the SDE, we’re here to help.