Program Directors

Taona P. Haderlein, PhD; Josh Lemieux; Usha Sambamoorthi, PhD

Purpose

Innovation for Equity in Low-Resource Settings provides funding to catalyze multi-disciplinary research projects to plan and pilot Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) algorithms or tools to address health disparities and minority health in cancer, cardiometabolic and mental/behavioral health. The projects must engage healthcare organizations serving patients in Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) or Community Health Centers from Medically Underserved Areas as defined by Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and/or serving a disproportionately high percentage(s) of NIH-designated health disparity populations to design and pilot AI/ML-aided tools, models or interventions.

About AIM-AHEAD

Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Consortium to Advance Health Equity And Researcher Diversity (AIM-AHEAD) is an initiative funded by the National Institutes of Health that is dedicated to enhancing diversity in the field of artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML), with emphasis on reducing health disparities and promoting health equity. Led by the AIM-AHEAD Coordinating Center, this initiative has cultivated a diverse nationwide consortium that embraces equity and transparency, aimed at leveraging AI/ML to enhance health outcomes across diverse and under-resourced communities. Through the establishment of strategic partnerships, targeted research programs, and engagement with key stakeholders, AIM-AHEAD continues to bolster participation and foster meaningful involvement within the AI/ML and health equity field.

Participants

Six teams have been awarded a first year of funding to form collaborative, equal partnerships with providers serving FQHC or health disparity populations. The 2024-2025 application cycle drew proposals from private and public institutes of higher education, non-profits, small businesses and for-profit organizations, and a tribal health organization. Most applications (66%) were led by non-academic institutions, demonstrating potential for partnership-building/knowledge transfer.

Cohort 1 Awardees

Regional Distribution of Cohort 1 Awardees

Cohort 1 Kickoff Celebration

Impact

The program seeks applications that go beyond data-only studies by co-designing and piloting AI/ML interventions in partnership with impacted communities. Funded projects will transfer knowledge and AI/ML capabilities with institutions or communities serving populations that disproportionately experience health disparities and barriers to care.

Program Inquiries

All questions and inquiries regarding this program can be directed to the CDP HelpDesk. Please create a help ticket here: HelpDesk - Submit a Ticket