Recognizing the potential benefits to human health that can be realized from applying and advancing the field of biomedical computing, the Biomedical Information Science and Technology Initiative (BISTI) was launched at the NIH in April 2000. This initiative is aimed at making optimal use of computer science and technology to address problems in biology and medicine. The full text of the original BISTI Report (June 1999) is available.

The focus of biomedical computing activities at the NIH is the Biomedical Information Science and Technology Initiative Consortium (BISTIC) which consists of senior-level representatives from each of the NIH institutes and centers, plus representatives of other Federal agencies concerned with biomedical computing.

The Bioinformatics Funding Information Web site contains information on (1) active NIH and BISTI Consortium research and training opportunities in bioinformatics and (2) funding opportunities in biomedical computing for other agencies.