The National Institute Health (NIH) Center for Information Technology (CIT), Office of Data Science Strategy (ODSS), and National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) Team are being honored in Category 3: Using Innovation, Data, and Breaking Down Organizational Barriers for expanding access to the advanced computing resources and training essential to modern biomedical research. Recognizing that researchers and students at under-resourced institutions often lack access to cloud computing and specialized training, the team created an innovative pathway that removes financial, technical, and educational barriers to scientific discovery.

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Through the STRIDES initiative, the team combined NIH-negotiated access to commercial cloud platforms with practical training and hands-on research opportunities. The NIGMS Sandbox provides 26 training modules covering genomics, bioinformatics, and artificial intelligence and machine learning, while NIH Cloud Lab gives researchers time-limited access to cloud accounts, credits, datasets, and expert support. By bringing together NIH organizations, universities, and cloud providers, the team created a coordinated experience that allows researchers to build skills and conduct real-world analyses without requiring institutions to invest in costly computing infrastructure.

The initiative is broadening participation in biomedical research nationwide. More than 500 students at IDeA institutions have completed hands-on training, while nearly 7,000 users have engaged with the NIGMS Sandbox. Researchers can now move more quickly from ideas to experimentation using the same tools, datasets, and workflows that power modern biomedical science. By reducing barriers to technology, training, and collaboration, the team is developing a more diverse and capable research community while accelerating discoveries that can ultimately improve healthcare and public health outcomes.