MIDAS Associated Projects Policy

MIDAS was conceived as an association of investigators from various disciplines who would develop computational models to study infectious disease emergence, spread, control, containment, and evolution. Although the primary way to participate in MIDAS is through receiving an NIH consortium agreement grant, there may be special opportunities to share knowledge, expertise, and resources more extensively. The conditions for establishing an Associated Project were approved by the MIDAS Steering Committee on May 20, 2005.

Associated Projects

A Principal Investigator may join MIDAS as an associate when all of the following conditions are met:

  • The project is already funded and does not require additional NIGMS funding.
  • The project is highly relevant to MIDAS.
  • The investigator establishes a documented collaboration with a funded MIDAS project.
  • The associated project is approved by the Steering Committee as serving the goals of the MIDAS.

Process for Approval

The applying associate investigator prepares a proposal for consideration by the Steering Committee. The proposal must contain

  1. A description of the collaborative research,
  2. A statement of support from the MIDAS principal investigator who is sponsoring the associate explaining how the collaboration will benefit MIDAS,
  3. A data sharing plan, including
    • Copies of data sharing and release policies applicable to current funding for the project,
    • Conditions and restrictions for sharing information with MIDAS, specifically addressing the MIDAS data sharing policy (attached),
    • Signatures of the involved investigators and institutional representatives.
  4. An analysis of the impact of the project on MIDAS computational resources.
  5. An analysis of other resource issues (e.g., the PI of the associated project would be invited to MIDAS meetings but would have to use his/her own funding for travel and expenses).

The Steering Committee may convene by teleconference to consider applications. At least ½ of the voting members of the committee must approve the proposal in order for it to be designated an Associate Project. The Steering Committee may recommend modifications of the agreement.

If the proposal is approved, the sponsoring MIDAS principal investigator will notify the associate project investigator.

MIDAS Data Release and Sharing of Results and Resources

The MIDAS Network will generate virtual and collected data and mathematical and computational tools. Grantees should plan on sharing theoretical and experimental findings with other members of the MIDAS Network at annual MIDAS meetings and at scientific meetings. Results and models will be made available through the MIDAS Database. The final data release policy will be established by the MIDAS Steering Committee. Because of the potential benefits of MIDAS to the larger research and public health community, NIGMS will enforce a policy for timely release of data, which will be implemented in consultation with the MIDAS Steering Committee. The data release policy proposed for the MIDASNetwork will be subject to future modifications, to comply with evolving NIH guidelines. The data release policy for the MIDAS Network will be stated clearly on the Network's Web site. NIGMS expects that users of the released data will appropriately acknowledge their source. All data should be made publicly available no later than the submission for publication. The release of information on host-pathogen interactions, disease transmission, diagnosis, surveillance, forecasting, and control, and antimicrobial treatments for emerging infectious diseases should follow NIH guidelines. Because information on strategies for response preparedness, which include advanced planning and crisis planning, may involve issues of national security, some parts of the MIDAS Database may contain confidential or secure data, models, and tools.