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

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute on Aging, has issued Notice of Funding Opportunity RFA-AG-26-007 for the Artificial Intelligence and Technology Collaboratory Coordinating Center (AITCC). This funding opportunity uses the U24 Resource-Related Research Projects Cooperative Agreement mechanism and is a reissue of RFA-AG-21-018. The AITCC will provide coordination and leadership across the Artificial Intelligence and Technology Collaboratory (AITC) program, which focuses on advancing artificial intelligence and technology applications in aging research and in the prevention, detection, and management of Alzheimer’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease-Related Dementias (AD/ADRD). The purpose of this funding opportunity is to strengthen the impact of the AITC program by creating a central hub to coordinate activities, lead stakeholder engagement, and disseminate information nationwide. The AITCC will support research that advances biomedical, social, and behavioral understanding of the aging process, and it will help build cross-sector collaborations that include academia, healthcare systems, nonprofit organizations, and industry. Central to this initiative is the recognition that artificial intelligence and emerging technologies have potential to address challenges in cognitive decline, dementia, and the health needs of older adults. The program also emphasizes fairness in AI algorithms and accessibility for individuals experiencing cognitive impairment. The AITCC will be responsible for four main areas of activity: administration, commercialization, research and consulting, and stakeholder engagement. The administrative team will support logistics for the annual AITC Symposium and manage program communications, including an official program website. The commercialization team will create pathways for research project recipients to pursue business development, industry partnerships, and commercialization opportunities. The research and consulting team will oversee the solicitation and centralized review of research project proposals, track progress, and monitor outcomes. The stakeholder engagement team will ensure that older adults, caregivers, and other relevant groups are meaningfully included in development and adoption processes. An External Advisory Panel will also provide program oversight and feedback. The funding opportunity allows new and renewal applications, but clinical trials are not permitted. NIA intends to commit $1.9 million in fiscal year 2026 to support one award, with a maximum project period of five years. Application budgets are limited to $1.9 million per year in total costs and must reflect actual project needs. Pre-award costs are allowable per NIH Grants Policy Statement. Applications that do not propose the required administrative, commercialization, consulting, and stakeholder engagement functions will be deemed non-responsive. Eligible applicants include higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations, for-profit organizations, small businesses, state and local governments, tribal governments and organizations, independent school districts, public housing authorities, and regional or community-based organizations. Foreign organizations are not eligible to apply, and foreign components are not permitted. Applicant organizations must have active registrations in SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons prior to submission. Program Directors or Principal Investigators must have eRA Commons accounts, with demonstrated experience in managing large teams, coordinating stakeholders, and applying AI and technology in relevant research contexts. Applications must follow the NIH Research (R) Application Guide and the NOFO-specific instructions, including a 30-page limit for the Research Strategy section. Required plans include an Administrative Plan, Commercialization Plan, Research and Consulting Plan, Stakeholder Engagement Plan, and an Evaluation Plan. Applicants must also provide a Data Management and Sharing Plan. The review process will assess significance, investigators, innovation, approach, and environment, with emphasis on the ability to foster cross-collaboration and dissemination. The scientific merit review will occur in March 2026, followed by Advisory Council review in May 2026, with earliest start date projected for July 2026. The funding opportunity was posted on September 10, 2025, with an application open date of September 15, 2025, and a final application due date of October 15, 2025. The expiration date is October 16, 2025. All applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization, and late applications will not be accepted. Key contacts include Rebecca Krupenevich, Ph.D. at NIA for scientific and research questions (email: NIAAITC@nih.gov), Megan Hancock for grants management (phone: 301-451-9802, email: megan.hancock@nih.gov), and the NIH eRA Service Desk and GrantsInfo offices for submission assistance.