Overview
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
Building 45
Natcher Auditorium
Welcome to the Inaugural NIH Standardized Organoid Modeling (SOM) Initiative Symposium
The problem: Organoids—lab-grown models that mimic human organs and tissues—are transforming biomedical research. But today, results vary widely from lab to lab, making organoid data hard to compare, reproduce, or trust. That variability limits their use in translational research, drug development, and regulatory review.
Why the NIH SOM Initiative exists: the NIH SOM Initiative is a new national initiative to standardize organoid models, so the field can build on a shared, reliable foundation instead of reinventing it lab-by-lab.
What's distinctive: the NIH SOM Initiative is neutral infrastructure, not directed by any single lab, company, or agency. It seeks consensus and unites NIH, academia, industry, regulators, and standards organizations around common protocols, benchmarks, and data infrastructure.
Why this Symposium matters: This two-day event marks the official launch of the NIH SOM Initiative. It introduces the Initiative's vision and governance and gives stakeholders a direct hand in shaping its priorities and roadmap. The ultimate goal—confidence that organoid-based models are reliable enough to be trusted for translational research, drug development, regulatory review, and clinical application.
What we're asking of you: Participants will bring their experience and expertise to help NIH SOM determine:
- Priorities – which scientific and technical gaps matter most and which to address first
- Contexts of use – Specific models which would benefit from standardization.
- Benchmarks and qualification needs
- Data and AI infrastructure – what shared data standards, platforms, and computational tools are needed to make organoid data comparable and usable at scale
- Partnerships – which cross-sector collaborations are needed to sustain this work
This feedback will be used to inform the NIH SOM Roadmap – what the next phase of the Initiative should look like, and in what sequence.
This event will be in person and by invitation only.
Day 1: December 10th will be open to all invited.
Day 2: December 11th will be a closed session – open only to NIH SOM Leadership, NIH IC Executive Committee, and selected external representatives and speakers.