What is GenV?

GenV is Australia’s largest and most inclusive research study of children and parents. With almost 125,000 participants including almost 50,000 children, its goal is to help solve the complex problems facing today’s children and parents (mostly pre-midlife adults of all genders). Its platform and infrastructure are designed for researchers globally to reach this goal by 2036, within 10 years of this Research Portal opening.

Read more at www.genv.org.au

Who participates in GenV?

The GenV Cohort includes children born between December 2020 and October 2023, together with their parents and guardians. Recruitment occurred in two phases, creating two groups. The Advance Cohort comprises families recruited during the initial rollout at select hospitals, while Cohort 2020s includes families recruited from birthing hospitals across Victoria as well as home births. 

Recruitment into Cohort 2020s remains open to families living in Victoria with children born between 4 October 2021 and 3 October 2023, regardless of birthplace. The representativeness of the GenV cohort across location, demographics, and birth settings strengthens its value to generate findings that reflect the broader Victorian and Australian populations.

GenV families include minimum of one GenV child and one parent or guardian. Many families also include other parents or guardians who have chosen to participate. 

For further information, please refer to the Cohort Profile paper.

What types of research can be conducted using GenV data and biosamples?

GenV data and biosamples can be used to investigate a wide range of questions relating to health, development, wellbeing, services, and environments, subject to relevant ethics, consent, governance, and access requirements.

There are two ways to work with GenV:

1. Independent data access

Analyse GenV's collected or linked data independently, typically with your own funding.

2. Embedded research collaboration

Design and deliver a project in partnership with GenV, including studies embedded within or conducted alongside GenV, access to biosamples, and collaborative funding applications.

GenV supports many types of research, including:

• Observational studies: investigating risk factors, disease and developmental pathways, predictors and outcomes
• Interventions and quasi-experimental studies: including embedded trials, natural experiments, and other approaches testing what works, for whom, including through GenV's Intervention Hub
• Registries: supporting condition specific or in depth disease and health registries
• Biosample and omics analysis: including genetic, epigenetic, and other molecular analyses
• Data linkage studies: using GenV's links to health, social, and geographic and environmental data
• Multigenerational and life course research: examining outcomes over time and across family generations, including children and their parents or guardians

Can I apply to access GenV data or biosamples? 

Researchers, research teams or organisations may apply where the proposed use aligns with GenV’s purpose, ethics approvals, participant consent and governance requirements.

Students may be able to participate as part of an approved project with appropriate supervision, institutional support and access arrangements.

Industry or external partners may be considered where the proposal meets GenV’s governance, ethical, public benefit and data access requirements.

How do I propose a collaboration or intervention study?

Simply register on the GenV Research Portal and submit a Proposal Overview through the My Applications tab. The Proposal Overview asks seven questions to help us understand your plans.

If you would like to discuss your proposal before submitting a Proposal Overview, please Contact Us