Fees 2026
For 20 years, Lifelines has been collecting and sharing data and biosamples to support research on healthy ageing. Lifelines enables interdisciplinary research that turns data into meaningful insights with real-world impact on public health. To continue providing reliable, high-quality services, we apply service fees to the services we offer.
Join the Lifelines community, a research ecosystem that enables interdisciplinary collaboration and generates insights with lasting impact on public health.
Costs (From July 1, 2026)
We value collaborations across academia, healthcare, government, and industry, as they all contribute to impactful research and innovation. As Lifelines is a publicly funded research infrastructure, collaborations involving non-academic or private partners are subject to different fee structures. This helps ensure fair and sustainable use of publicly funded resources while enabling continued high quality support and services.
Below, we provide an overview of our academic and partner fees. As costs may vary depending on the nature and scope of the collaboration, we encourage organisations to contact us for a tailored cost indication based on the nature of the collaboration and organisation type.
Data access & linkage
Lifelines applies a usage-based, modular fee model for secure access to research data. Fees cover access to our research environments and supporting services, while the Lifelines dataset itself remains free of charge. All fees listed below exclude VAT.
Standard access for academic users
These fees include data access for one year for one user (one person).
| Research environment | Academic fee |
| Basic workspace* | €3,000 |
| Premium workspace | €3,500 |
| Workspace + linkage | €4,000 |
| Cluster | €3,500 |
| Combined workspace and cluster | €4,500 |
* Suitable for readily implemented, straightforward data analysis projects with one or two users.
Partner institutions
Researchers working at one of our three partner insitutions (UMCG, RuG, Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare & Sport (VWS)) receive a discount of €500 on our services.
Project extensions
Extension fees start at €1,250 per year, with additional charges for extra users.
Additional users
Academic: €1,000 per user
Partner: €750 per user
(One user is included in the standard access fee, additional users (2-5) are subject to an additional fee.)
Custom services
Custom services can be requested on top of our standard services. Fees for custom services start at €250 and depend on the duration and complexity of the requested service. Examples of custom services include:
• Additional revision access
• Student access
• Additional data management support
• Custom linkage services
Biosamples
Lifelines offers access to a broad range of longitudinally collected biosamples for scientific research. As biosample requests can differ substantially in sample type, required handling procedures and project complexity, different fees apply depending on the biosamples and services requested. As a result, our pricing is determined by factors such as sample selection and picking, laboratory handling requirements, requested sample volume and quantity, storage conditions, materials and transport, as well as the level of project support required.
For larger biosample requests, lower per-sample pricing may apply due to efficiencies in automated biosample handling processes and relatively stable project management efforts. We encourage all organisations to contact us for a tailored cost indication based on their specific project needs.
Add-on Studies
The costs for additional studies are tailored to the specific design and requirements of each project. Key factors influencing costs include the size and composition of the study population, the collection protocol, and any logistic or technical requirements. In addition, Lifelines offers project support services to facilitate participant engagement, questionnaire development, and biomaterial handling. Costs for these services depend on the scope of the project and the level of support required.
For a rough cost estimate of your desired additional assessment or support services, you can contact the Lifelines Research Office.
FAQ
Fees (2026)
To support ongoing investments in secure data infrastructure, our research environments, data quality improvements, and future-ready technologies.
Partner fees support long-term strategic collaboration and co-investment in Lifelines infrastructure. Our strategic partner fees apply for users of the University of Groningen, the University Medical Center Groningen and the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS).
No. The Lifelines dataset remains publicly funded and free of charge. Fees cover secure access and supporting services.
If your request is submitted before 1 July 2026 and the current project end date is also before 1 July 2026, the old pricing will apply. In all other cases, the new pricing will apply