CM4AI  ¡Ñ  AnVIL
NOW OPEN ¡P 2026¡V2027
NOW LIVE ¡P CELL MAP PREDICTION DREAM CHALLENGE

Map the cell.
Advance discovery.

CM4AI¡VAnVIL Cell Map Prediction
DREAM Challenge

The challenge is now open! AnVIL and CM4AI invite individual researchers and teams to help advance in silico microscopy by developing AI models that predict where proteins localize within human cells.

The challenge

A human cell contains thousands of different proteins, but current imaging methods can visualize only a fraction of them at once. The Cell Map Prediction DREAM Challenge invites individuals and teams to help bridge that gap.

Using reference microscopy images and target protein amino acid sequences, participants will build models that predict protein localization and generate corresponding immunofluorescence microscopy images. A starter kit of training data will be available through NHGRI AnVIL, the cloud platform supporting reproducible model development and submissions.
ANVIL AT THE HEART OF THE CHALLENGE
Data, cloud computing, and reproducible research

The NHGRI AnVIL platform will provide access to starter training data and support reproducible workflows for models evaluated on new datasets. Explore the challenge and learn how AnVIL helps make large-scale, collaborative science possible.

Explore the challenge on AnVIL ¡÷
CHALLENGE TIMELINE
OPENED
October 19, 2026
CLOSES
February 1, 2027

$120,000 in awards & credits

Top-performing submissions will be eligible for cash prizes and Google Cloud computing credits, along with co-authorship opportunities in the overall challenge paper.

PLACEMENT
CASH
CLOUD CREDITS
1st place
$25,000
$40,000
2nd place
$15,000
$20,000
3rd place
$10,000
$10,000

The challenge is live. Join in!

Individuals and teams are welcome to participate. Visit the official challenge page to explore the competition, access participation information, and get started.

Read the AnVIL event announcement  ¡P  View the challenge flyer

Featuring the NHGRI AnVIL cloud platform, with Cell Maps for AI (CM4AI), Bridge2AI, and the DREAM Challenge community.

Learn more at anvilproject.org