Access to PLCO Data, Images, and Biospecimens

PLCO data is available to the general scientific community. Click on the button to begin a project for PLCO data (no biospecimens).

• Data-Only project proposals require you to identify your institution, a Principal Investigator(PI), a Signing Official, and project staff. See instructions for requirements.
• Data-Only project proposals must be submitted by the PI. You may fill out a project proposal if you are not the PI, but the PI must review and submit.

Expected time for a new project to have data delivered: 1-4 weeks

PLCO images and corresponding data are available to the scientific community. Click on this button to begin a project for PLCO images (no biospecimens).

Requests for chest x-ray images are approved through CDAS and can be downloaded from the CDAS website or delivered via requestor-provided hard drive. The requestor must bear the expense of the hard drive and all related shipping expenses, including prepaid return shipping. Signature requirement and acknowledgement of physical possession are required in a timely manner. All custom selections must be delivered by hard drive.

Requests for pathology images are approved through CDAS and delivered via the Cancer Genomics Research Laboratory (CGR) at the NCI. Once your project is approved and data agreements are in place, you will be connected with staff at CGR who will arrange the best method of data transfer with you. You will be able to link the image data with the PLCO phenotype data provided through CDAS. If the images for a cancer site are not yet available, this transfer will be delayed until the digitization is complete.

Expected time for a new project to have data/images delivered: 1-2 months

Etiologic and Early Marker Studies (EEMS) is the NCI program by which access to biospecimens is granted. The first step in the approval process is the Preliminary Application. Click on the button if you would like to begin an EEMS Preliminary Application for PLCO biospecimens.

Expected time for a new project to determine review outcome: 4-6 months from the preliminary application deadline¹

¹ Delivery of materials occurs afterward and will require additional time.

New EEMS Preliminary Applications may be submitted from: Aug. 21, 2025 until Feb. 17, 2026, 11:59 PM, US Eastern time.

The NCI has issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), Utilizing the PLCO Biospecimens Resource to Bridge Gaps in Cancer Etiology and Early Detection Research (PAR-25-248), for soliciting grant applications to utilize the PLCO Biorepository. Click on this button to initiate a Request Form for Specimen Verification, to confirm availability of biospecimens.

Expected time for a new project to determine if biospecimens are available: 3 weeks^1,2

¹ Grant processing occurs afterward and will require additional time.

² Delivery of materials occurs afterward and will require additional time.

New PAR Request Forms for Specimen Verification may be submitted from: April 11, 2026 until May 11, 2026, 11:59 PM, US Eastern time.

The previous submission period for new PAR Request Forms for Specimen Verification closed on May 11, 2026.