LeadingAge CAST encourages members to consider applying for the fifth annual a2 Pilot Awards, a competition hosted annually by the a2 Collective and funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health, through the Artificial Intelligence and Technology Collaboratories (AITC) for Aging Research program.

The competition supports technology demonstration projects that leverage cutting-edge technology and artificial intelligence (AI)-based approaches focused on healthy aging and care for people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and their caregivers. Each pilot project awardee can request, with justification, up to $200,000 in funding.

The a2 Collective comprises three AITCs centered at Johns Hopkins University (JH AITC), the University of Massachusetts Amherst (MassAITC), and the University of Pennsylvania (PennAITech) and a Coordinating Center managed by Rose Li & Associates, Inc. (RLA). Prospective applicants should visit the three AITC websites to review their individual requests for application.

Round 1 applications are open until Jan. 15, 2025, with decisions announced by Feb. 19, 2025. Round 2 applications are by invitation only.

Projects and Funding

Projects will be considered on their scientific merit, potential commercial or translational impact, and team and project plan strength. Projects that do the following may gain additional consideration:

• Leverage an AITC’s resources or facilities or generate datasets, software, or hardware that might benefit the AITC research community at large.
• Have a go-to-market strategy.
• Include regulatory and reimbursement pathways.
• Mitigate health disparities across the United States, including improving access to and delivery of care in rural areas.

An applicant may propose multiple unique pilot projects through separate applications, to one or multiple AITCs.

Who May Apply

For-profit organizations, higher education institutions, nonprofits, eligible agencies of the federal government, local government entities, and other organizations may apply. Applicants must have a Unique Entity ID (UEI) number within the United States.

The a2 Collective strongly encourages those from populations that are underrepresented in the AI and technology fields as well as individuals with disabilities to apply for funding. To learn more about types of projects the a2 Collective funds, see past awardees.