Big Data Interagency Working Group (IWG)
The Big Data Interagency Working Group (BD IWG) focuses on R&D to improve the management and analysis of large-scale data, the purpose of which is to develop the ability to extract knowledge and insight from large, diverse, and disparate sources of data, including mechanisms for data capture, curation, management, and access.
The BD IWG, formerly known as the Big Data Senior Steering Group, was formed in early 2011 to identify current big data research and development activities across the Federal Government; offer opportunities for coordination among agencies, academia, and the private sector; and help establish the goals for a National Big Data R&D Initiative. In the interim, many agencies established Big Data programs and initiatives and the focus of the group turned to synthesizing lessons learned and developing a cross agency Federal Big Data R&D Strategic Plan. This Plan is scheduled for release in early 2016. Moving forward, the Big Data IWG will continue to promulgate the Strategic Plan, further explore the strategies outlined in it, and address issues related to large scale data management as they arise.
A national Big Data innovation ecosystem can help the United States make the most of the new opportunities created by large and diverse data sets, such as accelerating the pace of scientific discovery, reducing traffic congestion, increasing energy efficiency, and developing therapies that are tailored to the needs of individual patients. The Obama Administration launched the Big Data Research and Development Initiative in 2012 to develop Big Data technologies, demonstrate applications of Big Data, and train the next generation of data scientists. The Administration has also recruited the first Chief Data Scientist to the White House, made “open data” the new default for Federal agencies, and worked to ensure that Big Data is used in ways that advance our core values, such as privacy and civil liberties.
Today, the Administration is pleased to release The Federal Big Data Research and Development Strategic Plan, highlights emerging Big Data capabilities and provides guidance for developing or expanding Federal Big Data research and development (R&D) plans. This Plan is an important milestone in the Administration`s 2012 Big Data Research and Development Initiative to harness benefits from the rich sources of Big Data, and is based on a shared vision:
We envision a Big Data innovation ecosystem in which the ability to analyze, extract information from, and make decisions and discoveries based upon large, diverse, and real-time datasets enables new capabilities for Federal agencies and the Nation at large; accelerates the process of scientific discovery and innovation; leads to new fields of research and new areas of inquiry that would otherwise be impossible; educates the next generation of 21st century scientists and engineers; and promotes new economic growth.
15 Federal agencies participated in the development of the Plan under the auspices of the Big Data Senior Steering Group (BD SSG), an interagency group under the National Science and Technology Council`s Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) Program. The Plan is built around seven focus areas:
Create next-generation capabilities by developing Big Data foundations, techniques, and technologies.
Support R&D to explore the trustworthiness of data, to make better decisions and enable breakthrough discoveries.
Build and enhance research cyberinfrastructure that enables Big Data innovation.
Increase the value of data through policies that promote sharing and management of data.
Understand the privacy, security, and ethical dimensions of Big Data collection, sharing, and use.
Improve the national landscape for Big Data education and training to fulfill increasing demand for analytical talent and capacity for the broader workforce.
Support a vibrant Big Data innovation ecosystem with collaboration between government agencies, universities, companies, and non-profit organizations.
The Plan also provides examples of the progress made in Federal Big Data R&D and defines goals, including addressing challenges such as preventing age-related macular degeneration, keeping fire fighters safe when they respond to a call, and supporting collaborative science around the world.
The Federal Big Data Research and Development Strategic Plan is an important milestone in the Administration`s data-science efforts. The BD SSG member agencies will continue to execute the strategy, deepen understanding of the issues, and enhance Federal agency collaboration in this important area of R&D.
Published: May 2016, Pages: 46
View Full Text: https://www.nitrd.gov/pubs/bigdatardstrategicplan.pdf
Major Activities
A national network of Big Data Regional Innovation Hubs
In November of 2014, the National Science Foundation published a Request for Input (RFI) about the establishment of a national network of Regional Innovation Hubs that would foster cross-sector collaborations and partnerships around Big Data. To convene local stakeholders and further the discussion, a series of 15 day-long intensive design workshops (i.e. charrettes) are taking place around the country in April, 2015. In these charrettes, stakeholders from academia, industry, government and non-profit sectors will discuss how an Innovation Hub might be structured and governed as to best address the challenges and leverage the opportunities around Big Data within its region.
To establish this national network, the National Science Foundation has announced a funding opportunity: the Big Data Regional Innovation Hubs (BD Hubs) program.
The National Big Data R&D Initiative
Aiming to make the most of the fast-growing volume of digital data, in March 2012, the Obama Administration announced the “Big Data Research and Development Initiative.” By improving our ability to extract knowledge and insights from large and complex collections of digital data, the initiative promises to help solve some the Nation’s most pressing challenges. The Big Data Interagency Working Group continues to work with the White House Office of Science and Technology along with several Federal departments and agencies to help further the goals of the Initiative which strive to:
Advance state-of-the-art core technologies needed to collect, store, preserve, manage, analyze, and share huge quantities of data.
Harness these technologies to accelerate the pace of discovery in science and engineering, strengthen our national security, and transform teaching and learning; and
Expand the workforce needed to develop and use Big Data technologies.
For additional information, see the White House Press Release, and the Big Data Fact Sheet.
Data to Knowledge to Action
Beginning in the second year of the National Big Data Initiative, the Administration is encouraging multiple stakeholders including federal agencies, private industry, academia, state and local government, non-profits, and foundations, to develop and participate in Big Data innovation projects across the country. The Administration is particularly interested in projects and initiatives that:
Advance technologies that support Big Data and data analytics;
Educate and expand the Big Data workforce;
Develop, demonstrate and evaluate applications of Big Data that improve key outcomes in economic growth, job creation, education, health, energy, sustainability, public safety, advanced manufacturing, science and engineering, and global development;
Demonstrate the role that prizes and challenges can play in deriving new insights from Big Data; and
Foster regional innovation.
For additional information, see the White House Press Release, the New Announcements Fact Sheet, and Progress by Federal Agencies Fact Sheet.
Data to Knowledge to Action: Partnership Updates
Data to Knowledge to Action: Partnership Updates
Since the Data to Knowledge to Action launch in November 2013, partners have been hard at work developing their collaborations and projects that promise to accelerate progress across science, the economy, and society. The following are updates on the projects launched in 2013... more
Calls, Presentations, Workshops, and Events
3rd Workshop on an "Open Knowledge Network: Enabling the Community to Build the Network" - October 4-5, 2017
This workshop will examine what OKN related projects the Federal Agencies are already involved in, how those projects can collaborate with private sector efforts, and what the next steps need to be. The workshop will focus on particular domains, and discuss how to enable an open contributing community. For more information on the workshop please visit http://ichs.ucsf.edu/okn-documents/
Big Data Workshop: "Measuring the Impact of Digital Repositories" - February 28, 2017 - March 1, 2017
Workshop Goal: Managers, funders, and users of digital data repositories are interested in assessing and communicating the impact of such repositories. A systematic approach and well-understood metrics, that may be quantitative or qualitative in nature, are needed to determine “impact.” The goal of this workshop is to identify the current metrics, tools and practices that are effective, and the issues that will require additional research. For more information on the workshop please visit https://www.nitrd.gov/nitrdgroups/index.php?title=DigitalRepositories
NITRD BIG DATA Strategic Initiative Workshop - January 23rd, 2015
2015 Big Data Strategic Initiative Workshop was sponsored by the NITRD Big Data Interagency Working Group in conjunction with Georgetown University, this workshop brought together academics and industry leaders across multiple disciplines to further inform the development of an effective Federal Big Data Research Agenda. For more information on the workshop please visit http://workshops.cs.georgetown.edu/BDSI-2015/
Source: https://www.nitrd.gov/Publications/PublicationDetail.aspx?pubid=63