The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has launched a new funding call for the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Survey, inviting academic collaborations through short statistical data analysis projects.
The Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Survey (CIS) continues to be a leading source of data during the coronavirus pandemic and has informed important questions from policy-makers, academics and the public. The survey provides critical core insights into the levels of swab and antibody positivity as well as a plethora of analysis spanning reinfections, vaccine effectiveness and identifying those factors most frequently seen in positive cases.
The ONS has worked alongside academic partners at the University of Oxford and University of Manchester, learning from experts in the fields of epidemiology and biostatistics to use the full breadth of data collected by the survey.
The survey is now seeking new partnerships with experts to collaborate in short data analysis projects.
These projects will aim to use the depth of data from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Survey to delve into some of the observed trends across the pandemic.
National Statistician Sir Ian Diamond said:
"It is my pleasure to introduce this funding call for further expert collaboration with the CIS.
"Increasing our understanding of the impact this virus has had on society remains crucial and it is key that data be made available to researchers from a wide range of backgrounds to provide more detailed insights.
"This funding call offers such an opportunity, and for that reason, I fully endorse and encourage researchers to apply."
More information and eligibility criteria are available.
Notes to editors
This funding call has been launched as a rapid response to the joint Health Data Research UK (HDR UK), Turing Institute and ONS National Core Studies call.
This funding call closes at 5.00pm on 11 November 2021 and projects will be awarded thereafter. Projects must be completed and ended by 31 March 2022. Projects will be assessed on feasibility of meeting this timeline, quality of the added value to the field of knowledge and value for money.
For further information, please contact:
Esther Sutherland, Head of Strategic Development for the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Survey
Email: Infection.Survey.Analysis@ons.gov.uk
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