Applications Now Open for the Vertical Interoperability Innovation Lab

Overview
Health research spans basic, translational, clinical, and behavioral domains, with computational tools now playing a central role across every stage of this increasingly data-driven landscape. However, these domains often rely on distinct tools and “languages,” creating siloed systems that limit effective data management, sharing, discovery, and reuse.

Despite advances within individual data domains, the lack of standardized infrastructure, shared data semantics, and interoperability across both research stages and the data lifecycle makes it difficult to integrate heterogeneous data sources. These gaps not only hinder the rigor of reproducibility and reproducibility of results, but also the translation of research findings into meaningful clinical outcomes.

“Vertical” interoperability, connecting tools and systems across each stage of the research lifecycle, offers a path forward. By enabling the seamless movement of data and metadata from initial study design through long-term preservation, this approach can help bridge existing divides and support more cohesive, end-to-end research processes.

The Vertical Interoperability Innovation Lab aims to advance this vision by developing and proposing infrastructure models, workflows, and architectural frameworks that address these connectivity gaps. These efforts will support a more federated health research ecosystem, strengthen data-sharing practices aligned with NIH’s commitment to data/metadata sharing, and enhance the overall utility and impact of human-derived data.

Participants in the Lab will play an active role in shaping next-generation interoperability solutions, contributing to the development of models that enable continuous data flow across the research lifecycle. By contributing to this effort, you will build technical expertise, expand your professional network, and position yourself for emerging opportunities in the field.

Workshop Applications
Applications are now open for the Vertical Interoperability Innovation Lab—a virtual workshop bringing together ~30 participants from across the biomedical data ecosystem to explore early-stage ideas for closing interoperability gaps across the research data lifecycle.

Open to individuals working across the health research data ecosystem, the Lab will focus on interdisciplinary exchange and developing actionable project ideas. The program includes a 90-minute orientation on June 12, followed by five workshop sessions held between June 22 - July 7.

How to Apply
To apply, please use the link below to access the application. Submissions are due by April 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. Applications will be reviewed by an NIH committee, with selection decisions announced by the end of May.