Web of Biological Data Act

Full Title:
Web of Biological Data Act of 2026

Summary#

This bill directs the Secretary of Energy to have a National Laboratory create a centralized data resource called the "Web of Biological Data". The Web is meant to help biological research that uses advanced computing, including artificial intelligence. The Department must also start a research and development program on how to generate, store, curate, and manage biological data.

Key features in the bill:

  • The Web will act as a single point of entry to access different biological datasets, especially federally funded data. It may host data directly or provide links to other databases.
  • The Web must include metadata and metrics that show data quality, and it must use tiered cybersecurity safeguards and access controls for different kinds of biological data.
  • The Secretary must select a National Laboratory (by competitive grant) to lead the effort and name a Director to run the Web.
  • The Director can make data-sharing agreements with federal agencies, set up cost-sharing with nonfederal partners, and make partnerships with academia, industry, and allies.
  • The Director must submit an implementation plan within 1 year describing data acquisition, digitization of federal biological samples, initial projects, cost-sharing plans, and cybersecurity plans.
  • Phase I (within 2 years): test an initial Web focused on selected biological data subtypes; provide a single user interface built with human-centered design; work with NIST on API frameworks; include cybersecurity limits on access (including limits for certain foreign countries as determined by the Secretary); and select initial R&D projects.
  • Phase II (within 5 years): expand the Web to be accessible to U.S. researchers, support multiple biological data types, include interoperability frameworks and online search tools, host bioinformatics tools, set data standards suitable for training AI models, and keep restrictions on sharing with certain countries.
  • The Director must seek a biannual independent cybersecurity assessment and must form an advisory board chaired by the Director with 11 additional members from industry, academia, other National Laboratories, and relevant federal agencies. The advisory board is exempt from the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA).
  • The Director must collaborate with the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource, NIST, the National Library of Medicine, and other appropriate partners.
  • The Director will report to Congressional committees starting 2 years after enactment and annually thereafter on progress, data quantities, collaborations, user engagement, cybersecurity vulnerabilities found, and plans for expansion.
  • The bill includes a rule of construction that does not override existing privacy, informed consent, human-subject protections, data-use limits, or protections against unauthorized disclosure or re-identification.

What it means for you#

  • Researchers: The bill aims to create one place to find federally funded biological datasets and tools. During Phase II (by year 5) the Web is to be accessible to U.S. researchers and include APIs and search tools. Access will follow tiered cybersecurity and access controls.
  • Institutions and industry: The Director may enter cost-sharing agreements, partnerships, and contracts. Industry and academia are included among advisers and testers for the initial Web.
  • Members of the public and data subjects: Existing legal protections for privacy, consent, human-subjects rules, and limits on data use remain in effect according to the bill.
  • Timeline to watch: the Department must select a laboratory within 180 days, provide an implementation plan within 1 year, deliver a tested initial Web within 2 years, and expand the Web within 5 years.

Expenses#

The bill authorizes the following amounts to be appropriated:

  • $30,000,000 for the first 3 years to carry out the research and development program (subsection (b)(1)(B)).
  • $310,000,000 for the first 3 years to carry out Phase I activities (subsection (e)).
  • After completion of Phase I and submission of the required report, $80,000,000 for each of the subsequent 2 years to carry out the Web (subsection (k)).

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.