The BD2K initiative aims to enhance biomedical research through the training of quantitative scientists and addressing the shortage of data science specialists. It outlines a range of funding opportunities and programs across various educational levels, from K-12 to graduate studies, to foster skills in biomedical data science. Significant investments are planned, with $20 million allocated for training programs in FY2016, aiming to create an open ecosystem for biomedical research.

1. Training Quantitative Scientists for
Biomedical Science Through the
BD2K Initiative
Philip E. Bourne, PhD
Associate Director for Data Science, OBDS
&
Michelle Dunn, PhD
Training, Outreach & Diversity Coordinator, OBDS
National Institutes of Health
AAAS February 16 2015

2. Office of Biomedical
Data Science
Mission Statement
To foster an open ecosystem that
enables biomedical research to be
conducted as a digital enterprise that
enhances health, lengthens life and
reduces illness and disability & to
train the next generation of data
scientists
Goals expanded from recommendations in the June 2012 DIWG and
BRWWG reports.

3. Problem: Lack of
Biomedical Data Science Specialists
BD2K T32/T15
BD2K K01
Career path workshops
Challenge
model of
funding

4. Problem: Limited Access to
Data Science Training
BD2K R25
Metadata
for training
materials
Community-sourced
cataloging and indexing
of training opportunities
Measure utility
NIH Workforce Development Center
RFA-ES-15-004

5. Community – BD2K Awards

6. BD2K T training grants as a % of
portfolio is much larger than most ICs
IC data from Table #106, NIH Grants and Contracts: http://report.nih.gov/catalog_results.aspx?
refUrl=index&sS=search&sI=1&sP=2&sM
BD2K data: Based on RFA-HG-14-004, which specified an intention to invest $6M into T programs in FY15, and
based on a similar amount in FY16, BD2K T awards expenditures in FY16 would amount to $12M, or 13% of the
BD2K budget.

7. BD2K training investment ramps to a
level on par with medium-sized ICs
Note about BD2K data: Although NIH planned to commit $12M in FY2016 for T programs, a total of $20M is planned for
all BD2K Training progams.

8. BD2K FOA’s - 10 Open
Address All Educational Levels

9. K-12: Recruitment Starts Early
 Big Data Museum Exhibit – Barry Aprison
 Follows on from the very successful genome exhibit

10. Undergraduate: Research Experiences
Prepare Students for Graduate School
 RFA-HG-14-008 (R25 for “Short Courses”) will
support summer experiences
 RFA-MD-15-005 (R25 for “Diversity”) to support
research experiences for students and curriculum
development at low-resourced institutions

11. Graduate: Training Program
Applications Are Being Solicited
 RFA-HG-14-004 for new T32 programs
 RFA-HG-14-005 for supplements to existing T32
programs
 RFA-HG-14-006 for supplements to existing T15
programs
We would like to see more applications

12. Clinicians, Postdocs and Beyond
 RFA-HG-14-007 (K01) for support of individuals to
gain skills and knowledge needed to develop new
methods and tools for Big Data

13. Workforce
 In addition to training quantitative scientists, BD2K
is supporting opportunities for all biomedical
scientists
– RFA-HG-14-008 for short courses
– RFA-HG-14-009 open educational materials (e.g.
MOOCs, modules)
– Data science sabbaticals

14. NIHNIH……
Turning Discovery Into HealthTurning Discovery Into Health
philip.bourne@nih.gov
michelle.dunn@nih.gov