Cost Considerations for X01 Applicants
The following cost considerations and estimates are intended to guide applicants for the X01 Notice of Funding Opportunity (PAR-27-069), titled “Accelerating Discovery Through Partnered Research With All of Us to Analyze Participant Biospecimens,” in planning resource allocation and funding for their proposed project.
The NIH X01 award mechanism does not provide funds for any costs related to proposed research projects. Applicants are responsible for providing funding for all costs associated with conducting the proposed research. Associated costs may include but are not limited to:
- Biospecimen handling and distribution
- Data collection, curation, management, and sharing through the All of Us Researcher Workbench
- Returning value to All of Us participants.
Final costs associated with the execution of each proposed study activity will be determined in close coordination with All of Us staff. Final costs may include indirect costs, which are not included in the estimates provided here. Successful X01 applicants will receive project cost estimates based on the specific requirements of their proposal to support planning and future funding applications.
Biospecimen Related Cost Estimates
X01 applicants approved by All of Us to access biospecimens will provide funds for the handling and distribution of biospecimens, as well as the costs incurred related to data processing required for the study.
The table below outlines two common biospecimen requests and an estimated cost per sample. Please note that these estimates may change, as methods used in the lab are continually being optimized driving costs to change over time. Additionally, particular handling requests, such as special tubes, special labeling, and specific plating format (e.g., for randomization), will cause cost variability. The All of Us Biobank offers flexible aliquoting services to accommodate a wide range of tube types, plate formats, labeling options, and no‑label configurations.
| Typical Biospecimen Requests | Cost Estimate |
|---|---|
| Pull sample (DNA, plasma, or serum), aliquot (tube to tube), label aliquot tube, and packaging | $14.00 per tube |
| Pull sample (DNA, plasma, or serum), aliquot (tube to 96 well plate), and packaging | $9.00 per tube |
Last updated 03/2026
In addition to the costs listed in the table above, X01 applicants should also factor in shipping expenses. International Air Transport Association (IATA) trained staff at the All of Us Biobank will prepare samples for global shipment using multiple courier services, including FedEx, UPS, USPS, Markin, and World Courier. Although FedEx is Mayo Clinic’s preferred partner, courier selection may vary based on specific logistical needs. Samples will be shipped at frozen temperatures, with both domestic and international shipments supported. Shipping manifests are provided upon shipment of specimens.
Data Management, Analysis, and Sharing Cost Estimates
Newly generated assay data from approved analyses of participant-donated biospecimens must be returned to All of Us Data and Research Center (DRC). Returned data must be curated and ready for release on the All of Us Researcher Workbench to support broad researcher use and maximize scientific impact through publications and other outputs. Along with returning assay data, awardees will be required to create or support researcher-facing materials, such as user support articles, featured Researcher Workbench workspaces, data dictionaries, approved code, and when appropriate, publications.
The DRC offers additional services for data management such as:
- Operational data management and storage
- Study consultation (analysis, cohort selection)
- Data harmonization and release of study data to the Researcher Workbench
- Development of research support materials and communications to researchers
The estimates below represent a combination of these data management services that can be made available for small study types, such as those with a few thousand participants, to larger studies, such as those using all All of Us participant genomics data.
Study Scale Example Descriptions
- Small
- Single biomarker tests for a small cohort using blood (ex. comparing cholesterol levels in serum samples from a cohort defined using the Basics and Lifestyle surveys)
- Methylation array for individuals sequenced (e.g. data that fits with existing array format and doesn’t require harmonization with other All of Us research data or tools)
- Medium
- Proteomics for individuals already sequenced (e.g. data that fits within All of Us existing proteomics formats but requires harmonization with other All of Us research data)
- Multi biomarker tests for small or medium cohorts using blood
- Large
- Multi-omics cohort where samples are sequenced for WGS and proteomics together
- Generation of computationally large and/or new omics data types with high storage cost and complex in structure
| Data Management by Study Scale | Cost Estimate |
|---|---|
|
Small
Exploratory, pilot-scale studies
|
$5,000 – $60,000 |
|
Medium
Targeted, medium cohort, biospecimen sequencing or data-generating analyses
|
$60,000 – $100,000 |
|
Large
Comprehensive, large cohort, multiple assays, full-scale,
complex analyses
|
$100,000 – $450,000+ |
In addition, awardees should budget for cloud computing costs required to analyze X01-generated data in the All of Us Researcher Workbench. For more information, see What to Know About Costs. While these cost estimates provide a framework of the cost associated with services, the final cost will be determined by the study scope, requirements and activities in close collaboration with All of Us program staff.
Return of Value Cost Estimates
The All of Us Research Program seeks to promote and maintain long-term trust and engagement with participants as partners in research. X01 applicants are required to propose a return of value (ROV) plan including creation of materials, engagement and outreach techniques, or communications strategies to ensure All of Us participants receive meaningful information that engages them in the program. The ROV plans will be finalized and implemented in close coordination with All of Us program staff.
Examples of ROV may include, but are not limited to:
- Sharing highlights of study accomplishments with participants
- Broad dissemination of educational materials
- Reporting of aggregate results
- Lay audience presentations, listening sessions, and/or participant convenings
To assist X01 applicants with budget planning for returning value to All of Us participants, the table below outlines common ROV strategies and associated cost estimates. These strategies, and others not included here, are not mutually exclusive and may be used in combination to engage participants in research.
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