NIH Launches $87 Million Standardized Organoid Modeling Center to Transform Biomedical Research

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has unveiled a major new initiative aimed at advancing organoid science and accelerating translational medicine. With contracts totaling $87 million for its first three years, the new Standardized Organoid Modeling (SOM) Center will serve as a national hub for developing reproducible, patient-centered organoid models. The center will be housed at the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, under the support of the National Cancer Institute.

Organoids—miniature, lab-grown structures that mimic the architecture and function of human organs—are increasingly recognized as powerful tools for modeling disease and testing therapies. However, a persistent barrier has been the lack of standardization. Currently, most organoid systems are developed through trial and error in individual labs, leading to difficulties in reproducing findings across institutions and limiting broader adoption.

The SOM Center is designed to address these challenges by incorporating artificial intelligence, robotics, and diverse human cell sources into organoid development. Its mission is to establish standardized protocols that produce reliable, high-quality organoids for widespread use. In doing so, NIH hopes to expand access to next-generation models that not only enhance biomedical research but also reduce reliance on traditional animal testing.

“This groundbreaking initiative will transform how we conduct biomedical research through innovative approaches to advancing human-based technologies,” said Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, NIH Director. “By creating standardized, reproducible, and accessible organoid models, we will accelerate drug discovery and translational science, offering more precise tools for disease modeling, public health protection, and reducing reliance on animal models.”

The SOM Center will initially focus on organoid models for the liver, lung, heart, and intestine—organs that play central roles in disease and drug metabolism. Over time, the effort will expand to additional organ systems and disease-specific models, laying the foundation for broad applications in both common and rare conditions.

Beyond technical development, the initiative is structured as a resource for the entire research ecosystem. Academic laboratories, industry partners, government researchers, and clinicians will all be able to access the center’s protocols, data, and physical organoid samples. Open-access repositories are planned to promote global collaboration, while partnerships with regulatory bodies, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, will ensure that the models meet preclinical testing standards and can support drug approval pathways.

Nicole Kleinstreuer, Ph.D., Acting NIH Deputy Director for Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives, emphasized the center’s unique positioning. “The NIH SOM Center is truly a first of its kind. It will serve as a national resource to scientists at NIH and investigators from around the country and the world, offering a unique combination of AI and machine learning to develop world-class organoid protocols, advanced robotics for large-scale production, and open-access repositories for physical samples and digital resources.”

Guidance for the SOM Center’s scientific priorities will come from a newly formed advisory board of internationally recognized experts. The project is being launched through the NIH Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives in collaboration with multiple institutes, including NCI, NIAID, NHGRI, NCATS, and the Office of Research on Women’s Health.

By uniting advanced technologies with open scientific collaboration, the SOM Center represents a bold step toward making organoid models a standard feature of biomedical research. Its impact is expected to span from drug discovery to precision medicine, creating new opportunities for researchers and ultimately improving patient care.