Tech Help

New to the AD Data Initiative? Start Here.

New to the Alzheimer’s Disease Data Initiative? This is your starting point for onboarding: explore datasets, create an account, request access to a dataset, request a workspace, and start your first analysis in AD Workbench.

What is AD Workbench?

AD Workbench is the secure, cloud-based ADRD data sharing, analysis, and interoperability layer of the AD Data Initiative technical suite. It offers researchers permissioned access to datasets, secure and collaborative workspaces, data analysis tools, and a community forum for research discussions and technical help.

Summary of AD Data Initiative Resources



Perform analysis in our cloud-compute workspace environment. 

AD Workbench requires a two-factor, password protected login. 

Start here:

AD Workbench

Discover data, inform your workspace and data requests.

Start here: 

Dataset Summaries Search

Request datasets to access in your workspace.

Start here: 

AD Discovery Portal

Submit your data to share and use on AD Workbench.

Start here: 

Submit Data

How to use AD Workbench

To start analyzing data on AD Workbench, follow this process to inform your research plans and submit requests for a workspace and datasets.



1.  Develop your research plans by exploring datasets and metadata.

Inform your workspace and dataset requests by exploring data on the AD Discovery Portal. 

Explore and review data summaries:

  • Find inspiration and quickly learn about the newest and most popular datasets.
  • Find links to manuscripts, publishing results, and other pertinent information about the datasets. 

Analyze metadata and request data:

  • Search datasets by tags and keywords and explore summary statistics.
  • Dive into readily available metadata without a workspace or dataset request.

2.  Submit a request form for access to the dataset and a new workspace.

  • Navigate to your chosen dataset(s) and select the 'Request Access' key icon at the top.
  • Submit the form, including details about your research objectives.  

3.  Access approved datasets & begin analysis. 

​Depending on the dataset, you will receive an email to access approved files from one of the following options:

  1. Via the 'Transfer Data' icon from your request.
  2. Via a read-only drive from your workspace VM.​
  3. In a federated manner. Find more details and help here.​

To download results, select the results file you want and choose the 'Airlock' option.

Learn more about accessing datasets here. 

Learn more about analyzing datasets here. 

©Alzheimer's Disease Data Initiative 2026