Commons Credits Pilot - Promoting Reuse of Digital Objects in Biomedical Research

1. CMS ALLIANCE TO MODERNIZE HEALTHCARE Commons Credits Pilot – Overview and InvitationAMIA Joint Summits on Translational ScienceMarch 27 - 30, 2017San Francisco, CA

2. An Opportunity for Innovation Digital Objects such as data, metadata, tools/software or workflows are among the most valuable outputs of modern scientific efforts, but are not shared or re-used optimally. The traditional paradigm, locally provisioned information technology (IT) resources funded by NIH, cannot keep up with modern data collection. It also impairs sharing and re-use. Access to scalable storage and compute resources to support research is essential for the continued success of NIH-funded research programs in the face of ever bigger and richer data and informatics. NIH seeks a method to more sustainably support the needs of the biomedical research community while promoting the FAIR Principles to maximize the impact of previous investments. FAIR Principles: Findable, Assessable, Interoperable, Reusable

3. Reminder: What Do You Mean, “Commons?” A community-owned cloud-based electronic ecosystem (“Commons”) where researchers can store, share, and utilize their own, and others’, sharable Digital Objects. Different than any other “commons” How can this best be supported so as to reduce long-term costs, increase re-use of Digital Objects, and promote the overall scientific output of the nation? E.g., with “Commons Credits”, for use with pre-vetted vendors. 3

4. Commons Credits Pilot Fundamentals • “Commons Credits” are dollar denominated resources usable at pre-vetted (“conformant”) cloud vendors taking part in the pilot. • Biomedical research investigators can use Credits to help advance their scientific efforts, helping us test this operational paradigm. • Up to $4 -$6 million in Credits will be distributed by the fall of 2017. • Two bins of Credits requests have been designated by NIH: • Small requests (up to $3,500). • Large requests (up to $50K, or more solely at the discretion of NIH). • Small requests are subject to less stringent review, and as such are more likely to be funded. Conversely, larger requests are subject to greater stringency. • Scoring paradigm uses scientific merit, risk, and value of Digital Object pledges. • NIH makes all final decisions on Credits recipients. The Pilot is not a grant process, and Commons Credits disbursements are not grants

5. Commons Credits Pilot Process Flow “The Commons” Signed, conformant vendors • This proposed new funding model is designed to help NIH better support biomedical investigators in obtaining computational resources to perform novel research on a “pay-go” basis.

6. Eligibility Requirements While not technically a requirement, pledging of FAIR digital objects of scientific value greatly enhances the probability of success. • Holding an active NIH grant at the time of the application, defined as being PI or Co-PI. • Agreeing to the terms and conditions (T&Cs) of the pilot. These T&Cs include, but are not limited to: • Accepting responsibility for protecting intellectual property (IP) and regulations related to data (e.g., HIPAA), if applicable. • Acknowledging that Credits recipient is responsible for any over-spending. • Agreeing to report receipt of Credits on the yearly Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR) to NIH.

7. Cycles and Cohorts • Test Cycle (Cohort I) • Late September 2016 • The initial request cycle was initiated, and the portal was be used to create and submit applications, triage them, approve them (NIH), and allocate the credits among the vendors. • Total Credits approved and allocated: $358,967.15 • First Open Cycle (Cohort II) • Open application period was December 9, 2016-January 16, 2017 • Total applicants: 80 • Total requested: $2,564,229.44 • Some issues with applications were identified, and are being addressed in collaborating with NIH (e.g., non-PI submissions, challenges with grant linkage) • NIH decisions pending • Future Cycles: • TBD

8. Considerable Diversity of Investigator Participants • A wide array of institutes have PIs who have submitted Credits requests (test cycle and first open cycle combined) – more than 35 institutions are represented. • The participants reference NIH grants from 18 of the 27 NIH Institutes, showing diversity of interest at that level as well.

9. It’s Easy to Participate in the Commons Credits Pilot Each step is designed to be as simple and low effort as possible to help reduce the barriers to entry and participation. commons_credits@mitre.org • Applications are < 2 pages, and should be easy to complete in less than 1 day. • Credits are distributed relatively rapidly, and are available for use for 12 months. • Onboarding sessions are held near the time of distribution. • Direct invoicing to MITRE will let investigators focus on the science. • Vendors sometimes offer advice on budget planning or how to get started. • Participants’ forum on Portal for sharing and discussion. • Post-implementation Report (mandatory feedback) is only 1 page.

10. Vendor Participants • Eight cloud vendors are available, having already achieved conformant status and have signed the participation agreement. More are in process. • Current (signed, conformant) vendors: • IBM • DLT (Amazon reseller) • Onix (Google reseller) – includes Broad Institute and ISB offerings • Seven Bridges Genomics (Amazon reseller) • MolBioCloud (Amazon reseller) • REAN Cloud (Amazon reseller) • Omnibond (Amazon reseller) • CDW-G (Microsoft Azure reseller) • Discussions with university supercomputing centers and National Labs continue, and may resolve before the final cycle. • Vendor Day event(s) will help inform applicants of options.

11. Come Join Us Feel free contact us at commons_credits@mitre.org to learn more or arrange a webinar for your department or institution. Register on the Commons Credits Portal: https://www.commons-credit-portal.org. Stay tuned to the NIH BD2K newsletter, twitter and website for updates, reminders, and details.

12. Supplementary Slides

13. Commons Credits Pilot Investigator View • https://www.commons-credit-portal.org • Briefly describe proposed research (~2 pages) • Agree to posted terms and conditions • Estimate number of credits needed Apply • MITRE recommendations proposals to NIH for final adjudication • All applicants notified Application Review • Select from approved cloud vendor(s) and service(s) • Sign contact with the cloud vendor(s) • Provide secondary surety for the cloud vendor(s) Vendor Selection • Conduct research plan within 1 year of approval Research • Index the Digital Objects pledged in your application • Provide a Post Implementation Report for Research • Provide feedback for improvement Post Participation Credit Allocation

14. What to Consider When Applying • Research proposal: should ideally relate to, or be an extension of, the research in a linked, active NIH grant, and not have received funding through any other mechanism. • Supporting documentation is encouraged, but not required • Retention plans for your Digital Objects are advantageous • More pledged digital objects > better score • Application: CCREQ can be withdrawn at any point • Notifications via email will: • Indicate the status of your submitted request • Request that you allocate Credits via the portal if approved • One-time and binding decision • Confirm that the allocated resources have been deposited for your usage at selected vendor(s)