National Clinical Cohort Collaborative (N3C)

N3C is a national resource of real-world data that researchers are using to speed medical research.

With stewardship from NCATS, more than 75 institutions worked together to build N3C. N3C systematically collects data derived from electronic health records from different institutions and harmonizes these data into data enclaves. The enclaves offer spaces for collaborative research. In addition, the enclaves can connect to other data sets, which creates a more complete picture of health outcomes.

Initially created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, NCATS is piloting the use of the original N3C infrastructure for additional health conditions.

We know that the data in the enclaves represent people. As the steward of the data, we take the responsibility for keeping those data safe very seriously. We have taken a comprehensive approach to address the security of the N3C COVID Enclaves and protect patient privacy.

• Pilot Enclaves

  

  The N3C Pilot Enclaves leverage operational and governance aspects of the N3C COVID platform that are established already. The projects focus on using real-world clinical data to better understand chronic kidney disease and cancer.

  Learn About the Pilot Projects

• Education Enclave

  

  The N3C Education Enclave offers a space for researchers to develop and practice the skills needed to analyze real-world data. It includes data from 500,000 simulated patients that represent common elements found within electronic health records.

  Learn About the N3C Education Enclave

• COVID Enclave

  

  The N3C COVID Enclave is the largest open U.S. database for ongoing COVID-19 research. Researchers and clinicians have used this national resource to reveal risk factors for Long COVID, help health care providers choose effective treatments, and so much more.

  Learn About the N3C COVID Enclave

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  N3C Data Identify Drugs That May Boost Risk of Post–COVID-19 Pulmonary Fibrosis

  November 20, 2023

  A new study used NCATS’ N3C database to see how more than 450,000 people without pulmonary fibrosis (PF) fared after they were hospitalized with COVID-19. Researchers looked at how common drugs linked to PF affected the risk of developing post–COVID-19 PF. Rituximab and chemotherapy drugs were tied to greater PF post-infection risk. In patients exposed to rituximab, PF incidence was 2.8 cases per 100 person-years, compared with 1.1 cases per 100 person-years in a control group. PF incidence among those exposed to chemotherapy was 2.2 cases per 100 person-years, compared with 1.3 cases among a control group. The heart drug amiodarone did not appear to boost risk.

  Read Article

• N3C Data Reveal COVID-19 Hospitalization Increases Risk of Heart Failure

  October 25, 2022

  Using data from more than half a million electronic health records in the N3C COVID Enclave, researchers found that a greater percentage of people who had been hospitalized with COVID-19 developed heart failure than people who had been hospitalized without COVID-19.

  Read Article

• Scientists Identify Characteristics to Better Define Long COVID

  June 10, 2022

  To get a better understanding of long COVID and the individuals who are likely to have it, NIH-supported researchers used machine learning techniques to analyze an unprecedented collection of de-identified electronic health records in NCATS’ N3C COVID Enclave.

  Read Article

• N3C Study Ties Aspirin Use in Moderate COVID-19 to Lower Risk of Blood Clots and Death

  March 24, 2022

  Giving aspirin to people hospitalized with moderate COVID-19 may reduce their risks of blood clots in the lung and of death, according to a large study of patient information from the N3C COVID Enclave.

  Read Article