Overview
CRDC supports the research community through user forums, training events, tutorials, and virtual office hours. A variety of resources are available from the CRDC Data Commons, Cloud Resources, and the Core Services that complete its infrastructure. Learn how to explore and access CRDC data, work within its secure cloud-based work environments, and learn about the standards and processes involved in submitting data.
Data Commons
The CRDC includes several Data Commons that store, manage, and make data searchable and accessible for analysis. Researchers can work directly with each Data Commons or can build a data manifest for use within a CRDC cloud environment. Learn more about how to get started with each CRDC Data Commons below.
| Data Commons | Resources |
|---|---|
| Genomic Data Commons (GDC) | The GDC team offers regular tutorials and live demos. Their Support page lists all training opportunities and documentation about using the GDC data portal to explore, analyze, use analytical tools, and submit data. Some of those tutorials include: If you have questions, email the GDC team. |
| Proteomic Data Commons (PDC) | The PDC team has designed its interactive portal/website to include instructions through the process of exploration, analysis, and data submission. They also offer occasional webinars. How-to instructions are found under each tab, with specifics listed under the More section of their site. The following general introductions are available: If you have questions, email the PDC team. |
| Imaging Data Commons (IDC) | The IDC team offers multiple data access options such as an interactive portal with image viewers, APIs, and BigQuery tables. The IDC team provides a user guide and documentation to get started: The IDC offers community office hours every week through Google Meet at If you have questions, email the IDC team at support@canceridc.dev or start a thread in their online forum. |
| Integrated Canine Data Commons (ICDC) | The ICDC team offers a series of tutorials, available through the ICDC: If you have questions, email the ICDC team. |
| General Commons (GC) | The GC provides instructions about exploring and accessing the data it manages and makes accessible. If you have questions, email the CRDC Help Desk. |
| Clinical and Translational Data Commons (CTDC) | The CTDC provides background information about querying its data through the For Developers tab on its site. CTDC also provides information regarding accessing data through its Request Access tab. If you have questions, email the CTDC team. |
Cloud Resource
The NCI Cloud Resource makes data accessible in a secure environment. Researchers can access data from NCI-funded programs, upload their own data for comparative analysis, and collaborate with colleagues in a secure data environment. Find out more about these benefits by accessing learning materials and joining virtual office hours.
| Cloud Resources | Resources |
|---|---|
| Seven Bridges Cancer Genomics Cloud (CGC), powered by Velsera (SB-CGC) | The Seven Bridges team offers virtual office hours through Google Meet at at the following times: Learn more about SB-CGC through their monthly webinars, as well as user guides and tutorials found on their Getting Started on the CGC page. If you have questions, email the SB-CGC team. |
Core Services
CRDC data are organized, submitted, securely stored, and made searchable and accessible based on common standards, terms, and processes. This data ecosystem is supported by core services that include common standards and a central data submission workflow to ensure CRDC data meet NIH’s FAIR data principles, that data are – Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable.
| Core Services | Resources |
|---|---|
| CRDC Submission Portal | The CRDC Submission Portal offers a centralized entry point for users to complete the 1) Submission Request form and 2) Data Submission. An overview of these processes and detailed instructions are available through the CRDC website’s Submit Data page. If you have any general inquiries, including questions about the Submission Request form or the Data Submission process, email the team’s helpdesk. |
| Cancer Data Aggregator (CDA) | The CDA is the API to search across all CRDC Data Commons’ metadata. The CDA team offers instruction and online tutorials through its GitHub. If you have questions, contact the CDA team through their online helpdesk. |
| Data Commons Framework (DCF) | The DCF is the API for CRDC Authorization and Authentication, as well as for Indexing CRDC Datasets. Learn about the DCF API. The DCF team offers a series of webinars and tech talks through their website, as well as documentation about procedures under their site’s Documentation tab. They also offer FAQs. If you have questions, email the DCF team. |
Retired Resources
| Core Services | Resources |
|---|---|
| FireCloud powered by Terra | FireCloud was an original NCI Cancer Genomics Cloud Pilot that was funded from 2014 until 2025. FireCloud was a cancer-focused frontend for the Terra system, a multi-project / multi-dataset platform and set of services that support omics research. |
| ISB – Cancer Gateway in the Cloud (ISB-CGC) | ISB-CGC was an original NCI Cancer Genomics Cloud Pilot that was funded from 2014 until 2025. ISB-CGC enabled researchers to analyze cloud hosted data including TCGA and TARGET with their own tools as well as with a collection of powerful Google Cloud Platform native tools and technologies. |
| Data Standards Services (DSS) | The Data Standards Services (DSS) contract was a collaboration between CRDC and NCI’s Semantic Infrastructure team to define standard data elements across all CRDC Data Commons. The data elements standardized by DSS work are published in NCI’s Cancer Data Standards Registry (caDSR). Review the CRDC Standard Data Elements. While the DSS contract ended in 2025, CRDC remains committed to adhering to standards. Read more under Core Standards and Services. |