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About the Virtual Cancer Data Access System (VCDAS)

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VCDAS was developed in response to a need to create a data enclave environment that allows secure remote access to more sensitive NCI data without having researchers download data locally.

This data enclave environment allows NCI to share data with the research community without ever physically releasing it out of NCI’s control. In addition to ensuring data security, the enclave needed to provide researchers with statistical software to conduct their analyses in the environment. VCDAS uses SAS software but can also accommodate R and Python.

Attention: If there are collaborators on a data request, only one can have access to VCDAS currently due to licensing limitations. The requestor will specify who will have access during the request process.

How to Access VCDAS

After your database request is approved, you will receive instructions for accessing the data in the VCDAS environment. The following steps will occur:

  1. You will receive and sign the VCDAS Agreement Form (DOCX).
  2. You will receive account set up and login instructions for the VCDAS environment.
    • Login.gov and NIH Staff accounts are currently accepted.
  3. You will receive a basic orientation guide to working with data in VCDAS, including working with SAS Studio.

Future Plans

In the future, outside researchers will be required to pay for access to the data to support the cost of hosting, licenses, and technical support. The pricing structure will be posted when it is available.