RFP for Pilot A: The Johns Hopkins Artificial Intelligence and Technology Collaboratory (JH AITC) is seeking proposals that facilitate the rapid development and implementation of novel artificial intelligence (AI) or technology solutions that improve the health and well-being of older persons with Alzheimer’s Disease and related disorders (AD/ADRD). The JH AITC welcomes applications from investigators with engineering, clinical, nursing, medicine, rehabilitation, therapy, social work, nutrition, public health, and business backgrounds and proposes funding approximately $1,000,000 for pilot projects in 2023. Proposed budgets can range from $10,000-200,000 over one to two years. Applicants from under-represented racial and ethnic groups, women, members of minoritized communities and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Acceptable proposals must demonstrate some viable pathway towards product development and must prioritize the use of engineered or AI based approaches such as robotics, machine learning, big data analytics, image and biometrics scanning, speech and natural language processing, integrated platforms, mobile/smart devices and apps, or nanobiotechnologies. Emergent technologies, as well as the adaptation of existing technologies or AI approaches to address a novel ADRD-related problem, are encouraged. Proposals are expected to describe plans for pre-competitive data sharing in a consortium data commons and NIA archive. Areas of programmatic interest for funding from this pilot core along with examples of potential projects are listed below.
Areas of Programmatic Interest
AD/ADRD Care and Engagement
- Use of integrated platforms to enhance communication among older adults, their advocates, and their healthcare providers
- Use of sensing technology/smart devices within home, clinic, hospital, or long-term care facility environments to detect, triage, and alert on change in physical/behavioral/cognitive status
- Validation and assessment of methods for assessing, monitoring, and alleviating behavioral or neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia (e.g., wandering, distress, paranoia)
- AI-based precision dementia care planning using Electronic Health Records (EHR) data analytics
AD/ADRD Diagnostics and Assessment
- Classification of dementia by type
- Prediction of older adults’ prognosis
- Risk prediction tools for use in patient panels to identify probably dementia in non-identified/non-diagnosed cases using available EHR data
- Risk prediction for likelihood of surgical success, risk, and resilience
- Prediction of future cognitive impairment among cognitively normal persons
AD/ADRD related System Management and Administration
- Analytics to detect health care disparities in given populations of older adults (e.g., race/ethnicity, sexual minority, disability)
- Population health monitoring of panels of older adults living with AD/ADRD
- Predictive analytics for future health-care expenditures and population risk for managed care systems
AD/ADRD Caregiver and Workforce Support
- Virtual/augmented/mixed reality for skills training for care providers
- Virtual, integrated platforms for family caregiver dementia support, education
- Technology to enable clinical skills and diagnostic capabilities in resource limited areas
- AI to bridge and support information management, care coordination, and communication across healthcare settings (e.g., hospital, clinic, home, long-term care) and among medical and long-term services
- Platforms to support caregiver expectation management, role assignment, task management and financial planning/support
***Of note, these pilot awards are not meant to fund projects related to geriatrics and age-related conditions. See Pilot Core B RFP for geriatrics and age-related funding opportunities.
Resource Access: A broad variety of resources are potentially available to facilitate development and completion of pilot projects.
- clinical research personnel to assist with the development and implementation of a clinical study
- a registry of older adults from which to recruit
- older adult stakeholders from urban and rural areas
- a network of potential research subjects from these areas
- technology development and feasibility testing
- data base, data collection, and data analytical expertise
- market and business model validation, and business networking opportunities
Application Process:
A common application process is available through this link. The deadline for submitting applications is 5pm (ET) July 31, 2023. Further information about this program and about JH AITC resources can be directed to [email protected].
