Description
Applicants must submit project proposals that intersection AI, healthy aging, or Alzheimer's (AD/ADRD).
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Mandatory Round 1: A brief 2-page project statement detailing the scientific and AI approach, relevance to aging, and commercialization plans.
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Invite-Only Round 2: A subset of applicants are invited to submit a full detailed proposal.
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Official Link: a2 Pilot Awards Application.
The program operates as a national pilot competition. The deadline for Round 1 applications for the 5th cycle in 2025 is January 15, 2025, at 5 p.m. ET. A subsequent competition is anticipated in mid-to-late 2026, subject to renewal. The 4th annual symposium is planned for March 19–20, 2026.
Eligibility
U.S.-based for-profit companies, higher education institutions, and nonprofits with a Unique Entity ID are eligible. While a PhD/MD is not required for the Principal Investigator, leadership skills must be demonstrated. Projects previously funded by NIH SBIR/STTR for similar goals are generally ineligible.
Process
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Submission: Online submission of Round 1 proposals during specific windows.
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Review: Proposals are evaluated for scientific merit, translational impact, and go-to-market strategy.
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Invitation: Selected finalists are invited for Round 2 in mid-February.
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Final Selection: Decisions for the cohort are usually made by mid-May, with projects expected to start in the fall.
What an Applicant can Obtain
Successful applicants can receive up to $200,000 in non-dilutive grant funding for a one-year project. They also get access to mentorship, state-of-the-art facilities, study sites, and datasets, and potentially AWS cloud credits
