The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) has sponsored a new initiative to promote the responsible sharing of clinical trial data. The journal is calling for entries in the SPRINT Data Analysis Challenge, which aims to harness the potential of data sharing to improve and advance medical science.

SPRINT — the Systolic blood PRessure INtervention Trial — was an open-label, randomised, controlled, multicentre, clinical study that compared the benefits of intensive versus standard blood pressure control. Those willing to take on the challenge are asked to analyse the dataset from this trial and identify a novel scientific or clinical finding. Interested parties need to register for the challenge and complete two rounds. Participants who are successful in the initial Qualifying Round will be eligible for the Challenge Round. Act quickly, as the deadline for the Qualifying Round is rapidly approaching (February 8th 2017)!

The winner of the challenge will have the opportunity to present their findings at the ‘Aligning Incentives for Sharing Clinical Trial’ summit in April 2017, a web event hosted by NEJM to initiate an open conversation about data sharing with researchers, data analysts and trial participants. Full details of how to enter the SPRINT challenge can be found here.

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Summary by Alice Wareham, PhD from Aspire Scientific