Artificial Intelligence and Technology Collaboratory Coordinating Center (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The Artificial Intelligence and Technology Collaboratory Coordinating Center (AITCC), supported by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is a cooperative agreement opportunity aimed at advancing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and technology in aging and Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD) research. Through funding Opportunity Number RFA-AG-26-007, this initiative seeks to support a centralized coordinating center (U24 activity code) that can facilitate and integrate efforts across multiple AI and technology-focused collaboratories funded under the AITC program. The AITCC serves as a strategic hub, enabling communication, stakeholder engagement, and dissemination of scientific findings throughout the network. The AITCC is structured around four core operational teams: the Administrative Team, the Commercialization Team, the Research and Consulting Team, and the Stakeholder Engagement Team. The Administrative Team will oversee the logistics of annual symposiums and maintain a centralized program website. The Commercialization Team is tasked with promoting business development and supporting pathways for bringing research innovations to market. The Research and Consulting Team will manage the national research competition infrastructure, data collection, and centralized review processes. The Stakeholder Engagement Team ensures that program outputs are shaped by input from individuals impacted by aging and cognitive impairment, caregivers, clinicians, and broader community stakeholders. This program does not support clinical trials and instead emphasizes infrastructure and coordination for research activities. Eligible applicants include a broad range of U.S.-based organizations, such as higher education institutions, non-profit and for-profit organizations, tribal entities, and governmental units. Foreign organizations and components are not eligible. The award ceiling is capped at $1.9 million in total costs per year, with a maximum project period of five years. The NIA anticipates funding one award under this NOFO. Cost-sharing or matching is not required. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov or ASSIST and conform to the Research (R) instructions unless stated otherwise in this NOFO. Required elements include a detailed administrative plan, commercialization strategy, stakeholder engagement approach, and evaluation framework with defined milestones. The program emphasizes communication between awardees and NIH, integration across AI-focused collaboratories, and outreach to the scientific and commercial communities. The application window opens on September 15, 2025, and closes on October 15, 2025. Award decisions are expected to follow peer and council review in March and May 2026, respectively, with the earliest award start date in July 2026. This is a recurring funding opportunity, expected to be reissued annually. The next expected application round will begin in September 2026. Key contacts include Dr. Rebecca Krupenevich (NIA) for scientific inquiries and Megan Hancock for financial/grants management.

Highlight cross-center collaboration and stakeholder engagement; adhere closely to administrative and technical guidelines.