On Apr. 12, 2005, the National Cancer Institute announced the creation of the cancer Biomedical Informatics Grid. The program brought together open source, open access tools, applications, data and standards developed by the caBIG community to accelerate cancer research, prevention and care.

caBIG provides the foundational infrastructure and specific applications to create a World Wide Web of cancer research. Over 800 individuals from NCI-designated Cancer Centers and other organizations (more than 80 organizations in all) are participating.