# SimTK: An Ecosystem for Data and Model Sharing in the Biomechanics Community

> **NIH NIH R01** · STANFORD UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $489,919

## Abstract

Physics-based simulations provide a powerful framework for understanding biological form and function. They
harmonize heterogeneous experimental data with real-world physical constraints, helping researchers
understand biological systems as they engineer novel drugs, new diagnostics, medical devices, and surgical
interventions. The rise in new sensors and simulation tools is generating an increasing amount of data, but this
data is often inaccessible, preventing reuse and limiting scientific progress. In 2005, we launched SimTK, a
website to develop and share biosimulation tools, models, and data, to address these issues. SimTK now
supports 62,000+ researchers globally and 950+ projects. Members use it to meet their grants’ data sharing
responsibilities; experiment with new ways of collaborating; and build communities around their datasets and
tools. However, challenges remain: many researchers still do not share their digital assets due to the time
needed to prepare, document, and maintain those assets, and since SimTK hosts a growing number of diverse
digital assets, the site now also faces the challenge of making these assets discoverable and reusable. Thus,
we propose a plan to extend SimTK and implement new solutions to promote scientific data sharing and reuse.
First, we will maintain the reliable, user-friendly foundation upon which SimTK is built, continuing to provide the
excellent support our members expect and supporting the site’s existing features for sharing and building
communities. Second, we will implement methods to establish a culture of model and data sharing in the
biomechanics community. We will encourage researchers to adopt new habits, making sharing part of their
workflow, by enabling the software and systems they use to automatically upload models and data to SimTK
via an application programming interface (API) and by recruiting leading researchers in the community to serve
as beta testers and role models. Third, we will create tools to easily replicate and extend biomechanics
simulations. Containers and cloud computing services allow researchers to capture and share a snapshot of
their computing environment, enabling unprecedented fidelity in sharing. We will integrate these technologies
into SimTK and provide custom, easy-to-use interfaces to replicate and extend simulation studies. Lastly, we
will develop a metadata standard for models and data for the biomechanics community, increasing reusability
and discoverability of the rich set of resources shared on SimTK. We will use the new standard on SimTK and
fill in the metadata fields automatically using natural language processing and machine learning, minimizing
the burden and inaccuracies of manual metadata entry. We will evaluate our success in achieving these aims
by tracking the number of assets shared and the frequency they are used as a springboard to new research.
These changes will accelerate biomechanics research and provide new tools to increase the reusabili...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10085652
- **Project number:** 5R01GM124443-04
- **Recipient organization:** STANFORD UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** SCOTT L DELP
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $489,919
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-02-01 → 2024-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10085652

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10085652, SimTK: An Ecosystem for Data and Model Sharing in the Biomechanics Community (5R01GM124443-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10085652. Licensed CC0.

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