Teaming up with Google Cloud, the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) has launched a new initiative to use commercial cloud computing technology for creating a biomedical data ecosystem for NIH researchers.
Called the Science and Technology Research Infrastructure for Discovery, Experimentation, and Sustainability (STRIDES), the project has signed on Google Cloud as its first industry partner.
The NIH hopes the STRIDES project will accelerate biomedical advances by reducing the economic and technological barriers to accessing and computing large biomedical datasets. The initial deal with Google Cloud creates a framework for NIH researchers -- as well as researchers at more than 2,500 academic institutions in the U.S. that receive NIH support -- to utilize Google Cloud's storage, computing, and machine-learning technologies, according to the NIH.
The partnership with Google Cloud will also involve collaborations with NIH's Data Commons Pilot projects for testing new tools and methods for working with and sharing data in the cloud. In addition, training programs will be established for researchers at NIH-funded institutions on how to use the Google Cloud platform.
The NIH said it will also establish additional industry partnerships to broaden access to services and tools, including training for researchers to learn about cloud tools and technologies. After a series of pilot activities are conducted to refine policies and test and assess implementation approaches, the NIH plans to make the services available to the NIH-supported community.
