Short Population Report (SPR)
Raw HLA typing data intended for publication as an SPR in Human Immunology.
View requirements →Submit Your Population
AFND Data Submission Guidelines
I. Getting started
The Allele Frequency Net Database (AFND) welcomes population data on HLA, KIR, MIC and cytokines to support research in population genetics, immunogenetics and related biomedical fields.
The appropriate submission procedure depends on the type of data you have available and whether you intend to publish your results as a Short Population Report (SPR) in Human Immunology, share data published in another journal, or share unpublished data with the community.
Before preparing your submission, identify which of the following options best describes your data:
- HLA data, including raw data and allele or genotype frequencies: Submit an SPR for Human Immunology (Option A), or submit directly to AFND without an SPR (Option B).
- HLA frequency data only: Submit your frequency data directly to AFND (Option C).
- KIR, MIC or cytokine data: Download the relevant submission template, complete the population demographic and frequency data, and email the completed files to the AFND team (Option D).
Please review the applicable requirements below before submitting your data.
II. Choose your submission pathway
Select the pathway that matches your data and publication plans.
Direct HLA submission
Raw HLA typing data and corresponding frequencies, without preparing an SPR.
View requirements →HLA frequencies only
Allele or genotype/phenotype frequencies when raw typing data are unavailable.
View requirements →Template-based submission
Download the appropriate CSV template and send the completed files to the AFND team.
View templates →HLA data
Submit data for a Short Population Report (SPR)
Choose this option if you have raw HLA typing data and intend to prepare a Short Population Report for publication in Human Immunology.
- Prepare your population demographic information and raw HLA typing data.
- Prepare the corresponding allele or genotype frequency data, as applicable.
- Ensure that the HLA data meet the journal's eligibility requirements.
- Follow the instructions for preparing and submitting an SPR.
- Submit the required data and accompanying documentation through the designated AFND submission procedure.
Important: HLA typing requirements for SPR submissions
Since 1 April 2022, Human Immunology has required data submitted to AFND with the intention of preparing an SPR to have been generated using molecular methods and to achieve at least two-field (four-digit) HLA allele resolution.
Data that do not meet these requirements may still be submitted directly to AFND, but they will be evaluated on their merits. Factors such as the uniqueness of the population may be considered.
Meeting the technical requirements does not, by itself, guarantee acceptance for publication.
Note: Consult the SPR submission guidelines when the official instructions become available.
Submit HLA data directly to AFND without an SPR
Choose this option if you have raw HLA typing data and corresponding frequency data but do not intend to prepare a Short Population Report for Human Immunology.
- Prepare the population demographic information.
- Provide the available raw HLA typing data.
- Provide the corresponding allele or genotype frequency data, as applicable.
- Follow the AFND instructions for direct data submission.
- Include any relevant information about the population, sampling strategy, typing methodology and data analysis.
Note: Submissions will be reviewed according to AFND's data requirements and assessment procedures.
Submit HLA frequency data only
Choose this option if you have already calculated HLA allele or genotype/phenotype frequencies and do not have raw typing data to submit.
- Prepare the population demographic information.
- Organize the frequency data according to the applicable AFND data format.
- Provide the sample size, typing methodology, population characteristics and relevant references or supporting documentation.
- Submit the data directly to AFND using the designated frequency-data submission procedure.
Note: Raw typing data are not required for this pathway, although supporting information may be requested during review.
Submit KIR, MIC or cytokine frequency data
For KIR, MIC and cytokine submissions, use the corresponding AFND template.
- Download the template. Select the template appropriate for the data type you wish to submit.
- Complete the population information. Provide the requested demographic and population descriptors.
- Enter the frequency data. Use the format and terminology specified in the template.
- Check the data. Confirm that sample sizes, frequencies, population identifiers and other required fields are complete and consistent.
- Send your files. Email the completed template and any required supporting documentation to the AFND team.
Frequency submission templates
KIR frequencieskir_frequencies.csvDownload CSV ↓ MIC frequenciesmic_frequencies.csvDownload CSV ↓ Cytokine frequenciescyt_frequencies.csvDownload CSV ↓
Please use the template corresponding to your data type. If you are submitting multiple data types, indicate clearly which files correspond to each dataset and population.
III. Preparing your submission
Regardless of the submission pathway, please provide the information needed to interpret, evaluate and correctly catalogue your data.
Population demographic information
Include the applicable information requested in the submission form or template, such as:
- Population name and geographic origin.
- Country and, where available, geographic coordinates.
- Sample size and relevant sample characteristics.
- Population selection and sampling criteria.
- Relevant ancestry or ethnicity information, where available and appropriately documented.
Frequency data
Ensure that the submitted frequencies correspond to the stated population and sample size. Specify whether the results represent allele frequencies, genotype frequencies, haplotype frequencies or another data type, as applicable.
Use the required AFND format and provide sufficient information to identify the loci, alleles, genes or markers being reported.
Methods and supporting information
Where applicable, provide:
- Typing or genotyping methodology and resolution.
- Data processing and frequency calculation methods.
- Relevant quality-control information.
- References to the original study, associated publication or other supporting documentation.
- Any additional information needed to interpret the dataset.
Please ensure that you have the appropriate permissions to share the data and that any personal or identifiable participant information has been excluded.
IV. Loading or sending sample data
Before submitting your complete dataset, check that your files follow the relevant template or data-format specifications.
Template-based submissions
- Download the appropriate template.
- Review the example entries or formatting instructions, if provided.
- Enter your data without changing the required column names or structure.
- Check for missing values, inconsistent population identifiers, incorrect sample sizes and invalid frequency values.
- Save the completed file in the requested format and email it to the AFND team.
Direct HLA submissions
For direct HLA submissions, follow the designated AFND procedure for uploading or providing raw typing and frequency data, or frequency data alone, according to your selected pathway.
If you are uncertain which submission route to use, contact the AFND team before preparing your files.
V. What happens after submission?
After receiving your submission, the AFND team will assess the available information for completeness, consistency and suitability for inclusion in the database.
The review may include:
- Checking the population demographic information.
- Assessing the consistency of sample sizes and reported frequencies.
- Reviewing the typing methodology and data resolution, where applicable.
- Requesting clarification, corrections or additional documentation if necessary.
- Evaluating the suitability of the dataset for inclusion in AFND.
For submissions intended for an SPR, publication-related eligibility requirements will also apply.
Submitting data does not guarantee acceptance into AFND or publication in Human Immunology. The AFND team will communicate any required follow-up steps.
VI. Contact the AFND team
For questions about data formats, submission requirements or the appropriate submission pathway, please contact the AFND team.
We welcome population data submissions and feedback that help improve AFND and expand the availability of immunogenetic data for the research community.
Contact the AFND team →VII. Frequently asked questions
Do I need to prepare a publication to submit data to AFND?
No. You can submit eligible HLA frequency data directly to AFND without preparing a Short Population Report. Direct submission pathways are also available for HLA raw data and frequency data. KIR, MIC and cytokine data can be submitted using the corresponding templates.
Can I submit HLA data that do not meet the SPR typing requirements?
Yes. Data that do not meet the molecular-method and two-field resolution requirements for an SPR may still be submitted directly to AFND and will be evaluated on their merits.
Can I submit HLA frequency data without raw typing data?
Yes. Use the direct HLA frequency-data submission pathway.
How do I submit KIR, MIC or cytokine data?
Download the corresponding template, complete the demographic and frequency information, and email the files to the AFND team.
What if I am unsure which pathway applies to my data?
Contact the AFND team with a brief description of your data type, the information available and whether you intend to prepare an SPR. The team can advise you on the appropriate submission procedure.