UFBI is collaborating on a project basis with several scientists locally in Umeå, from other Swedish cities, as well as internationally. We here describe the usual steps involved in these collaborations to simplify for prospective future projects.
Provide an outline of the suggested research project. This outline should include the question(s) that is sought to be answered in the context of previous research, the key aspect of the paradigm in relation to this question, in what way MRI (or PET) contributes to answering the question, details on data analyses (see below), as well as how the project is to be financially supported. Project costs can be covered by external (your) funding, by UFBI, or a combination thereof. Please note that UFBI does not do commissioned research and that you cannot simply buy scanner time only.
2. The relevance, priority, and quality of the project will be discussed internally within UFBI.
3. If we find the project suitable for UFBI research, (behavioural) pilot studies should be performed to ensure that the paradigm works as intended. A copy of the ethical approval from Swedish ethical review authority (Etikprövningsmyndigheten) must be sent into UFBI before moving forward with any kind of pilot testing.
4. When pilot studies have been found satisfactory, it will be time to schedule scanner time.
5. All individuals that will be involved in the data collection, at any of the MR-or PET scanners, must go through the online MR-safety course (via Region Västerbotten) before data collection begins.
6. Data collection. The data collection is handled by the researcher and/or their assistants on site, which includes for example preparing experiment setup, as well as instructing the participants before, during, and after the experiment is run. The operation of the scanners themselves is done by staff from Region Västerbotten.
7. Data analyses. It is valuable for us to know early on whether you have previous experience of fMRI data analysis, as well as whether you intend to perform the analysis yourself or if this is to be performed at UFBI.
User fees
All researchers are charged by the hour of scan time (this fee includes neuroradiological assessment provided via Region Västerbotten). The fee is the same for all users, please contact UFBI mikael.stiernstedt@umu.se for the current cost.
Notes
If data needs to be transferred to another site outside of Umeå University, a Data Transfer Agreement, as well as other legal agreements, might be needed. The Principal Investigator is responsible for arranging this together with the legal department at Umeå University.
