Race Against Dementia: Data Challenge II
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With support from Race Against Dementia, the RS Macdonald Charitable Trust, and Dementias Platform UK, we are thrilled to announce the second round of the ARC's Data Challenge project: Race Against Dementia: Data Challenge II.
Whether you are a returning researcher looking to build on previous work or you are exploring a new research question in the field of brain health and dementia, this challenge is for you!
Use this unique opportunity to access large datasets with academic and technical support from an expert in-house team that is here to help you every step of the way – from developing your research question to presenting your findings. At the end of the Challenge, we will hold a showcase event where researchers will present their findings, and the most innovative projects will be recognised. The Data Challenge II was launched online on Thursday 23rd October 2025. You can watch a recording here. |
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Application Process
To apply to participate in the Data Challenge, you will need to:
All applications are to be submitted to our Project Coordinator at [email protected] before 31st January 2026.
Out team will get back to you within 3 weeks of receiving your application (excluding public holidays and university closure days).
How applications are scored:
The purpose of the evaluation process is not to shortlist the “best” projects but to assess the distribution of our in-house resources. The Challenge will endeavour to support as many applications as possible. However, the in-house data scientist resource is limited. Projects that create new collaboration, consider equality, diversity, inclusion, and support early career researchers will be prioritized.
If you have questions or require support at any stage of the application process, please get in touch with us.
- Fill out the Application Form
- Fill out the Support Agreement
- Send us the CV of Principal Applicant
All applications are to be submitted to our Project Coordinator at [email protected] before 31st January 2026.
Out team will get back to you within 3 weeks of receiving your application (excluding public holidays and university closure days).
How applications are scored:
The purpose of the evaluation process is not to shortlist the “best” projects but to assess the distribution of our in-house resources. The Challenge will endeavour to support as many applications as possible. However, the in-house data scientist resource is limited. Projects that create new collaboration, consider equality, diversity, inclusion, and support early career researchers will be prioritized.
If you have questions or require support at any stage of the application process, please get in touch with us.
Key Dates
- 23 October Launch of Race Against Dementia: Data Challenge II
- 31 January 2026 Applications Deadline
- 9 March 2026 Networking Session #1
- 10 June 2026 Networking Session #2
- 23 October 2026 Data Challenge Closes. This is a deadline for results submission. After this date, we can no longer guarantee you our in-house support. Access to data remains available.
- 20 November 2026 Data Challenge Showcase
Data Profiles
The English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA)
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ELSA is a multidisciplinary cohort study of a representative sample of people aged 50+ living in private households in England. The survey began collecting data in 2002 (following a pilot study in 2001), with follow-up interviews every two years. The sample has been refreshed periodically to maintain representativeness of the population aged 50+.
ELSA studies:
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PREVENT
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PREVENT-AD is a longitudinal study of older adults at-risk of Alzheimer disease. Data include imaging, genetics, fluid biochemistry, neurosensory, cognition and more.
PREVENT studies:
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BioHermes001
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The Bio-Hermes cohort consists of around 1,200 deeply phenotyped participants. Diversity was an aim, and the cohort includes groups who are less often part of research.
The dataset comprises of 80,000 multimodal dementia biomarkers including data on blood biomarkers, CSF, genetics, proteomics, cognitive tests, imaging and clinical. The resource includes 15 digital cognitive tests, 25 blood based biomarkers, raw data from imaging and extensive clinical and demographic data.
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The Virtual International Care Homes Trials Archive (VICHTA)
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Despite increased research interest in care homes and their residents, this sector is still not well understood. Randomised controlled trials offer high quality data on resident demographics, clinical outcomes, resource use, and care home characteristics, measured at specific timepoints. Care home trials may look at different types of interventions and multiple clinical areas, but the inclusion criteria and basic information collected is often very similar. The Virtual International Care Homes Trials Archive collates and pools individual participant data (IPD) from trials conducted in care homes, to allow future researchers to conduct secondary analyses on this rich data source.
VICHTA may be of interest to many different research fields, including medicine for elderly, rehabilitation, mental health teams, health service researchers and clinical trial methodologists, all of whom will have their own research ideas to test based on respective specialisms. VICHTA studies:
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View the slides from the launch to learn more about the datasets from ELSA, PREVENT, BioHermes, and VICHTA here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need prior experience in Dementia Research?
Dementia research experience is not required, and we encourage teams that include individuals from all stages of career and researchers who have not previously worked in the dementia field to apply. Applications from collaborative groups with diverse expertise are welcome.
A variety of expertise, involvement of Early Career Researchers (ECRs), and considerations for Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) are viewed as positive factors for shortlisting.
A variety of expertise, involvement of Early Career Researchers (ECRs), and considerations for Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) are viewed as positive factors for shortlisting.
I am interested in dementia research but don’t know where to start.
Our expert in-house support team is here to help you every step of the way. Reach out to us at: [email protected] and we will be happy to advise you.
Do applicants need to be based in Scottish institutions?
Applications are welcome from all institutions in the UK. However, collaborations with Scottish universities are especially encouraged. If you are interested in forming new links with Scottish teams, we are able to support principal applicants to create new collaborations.
I am from the industry sector. Can I participate?
Unfortunately, the data holder cannot accommodate applications from industry representatives.
What constitutes a new collaboration?
New collaborations involve two or more institutions, where the collaborators have no previous track record of partnership.
Can I have international collaborators?
Yes, collaborations can be formed internationally.
Can you access more than one data set?
Yes, you can access all the listed datasets if you wish. However, multiple datasets cannot be linked as they will be in different workspaces.
What is the deadline for applications?
We accept new applications until January 31st, 2026.
Who will review my application?
Applications will be reviewed by a panel chaired by Terry Quinn with representation from various career stages and different areas of research expertise. The role of the panel is to assess a distribution of in-house resources. The Challenge will endeavour to support as many applications as possible. However, the in-house data scientist resource is limited. Projects that create new collaboration, consider equality, diversity, inclusion, and support early career researchers will be prioritised.
What if I am not shortlisted?
In case you are not shortlisted, you will still be granted access to the data, the showcase and even to the prizes. However, you will not be able to receive support from our in-house team.
Can I use my old data set, if I worked on Bio-Hermes before?
Yes. You can still apply to work with Bio-Hermes again, but unfortunately, we cannot guarantee you access to your previous workspace.
How is authorship managed in the reports and publications arising from this challenge?
All partners will be recognised in the authorship of published papers/conference platforms. Where the Brain Health ARC and data challenge in-house team have made a substantial contribution, this should be appropriately acknowledged. All partners will have opportunity to review and approve outputs before release.
Bio-Hermes Data Challenge
Read more about our first challenge
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Calling the Scottish Dementia Research Community - are you ready for the Bio-Hermes data challenge?
The Bio-Hermes cohort consists of around 1,200 deeply phenotyped participants. Diversity was an aim, and the cohort includes groups who are less often part of research. The dataset comprises of 80,000 multimodal dementia biomarkers including data on blood biomarkers, CSF, genetics, proteomics, cognitive tests, imaging and clinical. The resource includes 15 digital cognitive tests, 25 blood based biomarkers, raw data from imaging and extensive clinical and demographic data. The Global Alzheimer Platform have made the dataset publicly available and research teams who would like to work with Bio-Hermes data are invited to apply. We have streamlined the data access process, and all approvals and governance will be handled by our team, leaving researchers to focus on the science and the data. |
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Teams may have exciting ideas for a project, but lack expertise in data management, analysis or data interpretation. We can help, and applicants can request support from our in-house data scientists, project managers, and panel of research leaders in dementia.
Call now closed
Bio-hermes data challenge summit 2025
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In February 2024, the Brain Health ARC, supported by Race Against Dementia, launched a national competition inviting newly established collaborations to submit their research proposals for access to the Global Alzheimer’s Platform Foundation’s Bio-Hermes Biomarker dataset.
More than 40 research teams rose to the challenge, and in March 2025, we invited stakeholders from academia, industry, and beyond to the Bio-Hermes-001 Data Challenge Summit to hear about the results of some these projects. From using artificial intelligence to predict dementia, through to looking at the effect of frailty or vascular disease on dementia biomarkers, the Data Summit showcased some of the most exciting research concepts taking place in the brain health space today. Read more here.
More than 40 research teams rose to the challenge, and in March 2025, we invited stakeholders from academia, industry, and beyond to the Bio-Hermes-001 Data Challenge Summit to hear about the results of some these projects. From using artificial intelligence to predict dementia, through to looking at the effect of frailty or vascular disease on dementia biomarkers, the Data Summit showcased some of the most exciting research concepts taking place in the brain health space today. Read more here.
output tracker
Output tracker - if you participated in the first challenge, please complete this form to log outputs (abstracts, posters/talks, conference papers, preprints, peer-reviewed papers, code, registrations, etc.)
