(CLOSED) RFA-AG-21-009 Artificial Intelligence and Technology Collaboratories for Aging Research (P30 – Clinical Trial Optional)

Sponsor Name: 
National Institute on Aging
Description of the Award: 

1. Background

The number of Americans aged 65 or older will grow to 95 million by 2060 and comprise nearly a quarter of the population; most will have multiple chronic conditions, and many will experience cognitive impairment and/or dementia. The combination of the projected growth of this population and the desire of many older Americans to live independently in their homes and communities makes it critical that the federal government proactively develop strategies, tools, and recommendations to enable them to live healthy, independent lives.

Recognizing the needs of this looming population and the potential role for federal research and development, a Federal Task Force developed a report, “Emerging Technologies to Support an Aging Population,” which highlighted the following six areas for technology development that will require coordination across a wide range of disciplines and sectors of the economy: support with key activities of daily living, cognitive skills, communication and social connectivity, personal mobility, access to transportation, and access to healthcare. Research and development of artificial intelligence approaches was highlighted in a recently published report, "2016–2019 Progress Report: Advancing Artificial Intelligence R&D," and technological solutions in these areas for use in homes and communities will require coordination across a wide range of disciplines.

2. Specific Objectives of the Artificial Intelligence and Technology Collaboratories (AITC) for Aging Research Program

The specific objectives of the AITC program are as follows: 1) serve as a national resource to promote the development and implementation of artificial intelligence approaches and technology through demonstration projects to improve care and health outcomes for older Americans, including persons with dementia (PWD) and their caregivers; 2) support pilot studies to develop and implement artificial intelligence approaches and technology across the country; 3) develop and disseminate technical and policy guidelines and best practices for effectively incorporating artificial intelligence approaches and technology for older Americans, in partnership with private industry, angel investors, venture capital firms, and healthcare systems; 4) work collaboratively with researchers across private industry, venture capital firms, the healthcare sector, and the National Institute on Aging Office of Small Business Research to provide technical support for scaling up pilot studies; and 5) disseminate best practices for engaging stakeholders in research by (a) incorporating stakeholders into the research and development process and (b) conducting ethical research on how to incorporate artificial intelligence approaches and technology development in the special circumstances of individuals experiencing cognitive decline/impairment.

3. Organizational Structure

The AITC program will build technology for older Americans, with a focus on technology to support PWD, as well as maintain a resource and knowledge base for technology in coordination with a designated Artificial Intelligence and Technology Coordinating Center (AITCC). Each Collaboratory will consist of in-house scientific and technological expertise and the clinical and industry partnerships necessary to facilitate the identification, application, and integration of artificial intelligence approaches and enabling technologies into devices that address the aging research priorities highlighted in this FOA.

Limit (Number of applicants permitted per institution): 
1
Sponsor LOI Deadline: 
Sep 01, 2020
Sponsor Final Deadline: 
Oct 01, 2020
OSVPR Application or NOI Instructions: 

Submit your notification through InfoReady to provide your contact information no later than 4:00 p.m. on the internal submission deadline. If interest exceeds the institutional limit the Office of Limited Submissions will coordinate a downselect.

Questions concerning the limited submissions process may be submitted to limitedsubs@psu.edu.

To be considered as a Penn State institutional nominee, please submit a notice of intent by the date provided directly below.
Penn State OSVPR NOI Deadline: 
Wednesday, August 5, 2020 - 4:00pm
This limited submission is in downselect: 
Penn State may only submit a specific number of proposals to this funding opportunity. The number of NOIs received require that an internal competition take place, thus, a downselect process has commenced. No Penn State researchers may apply to this opportunity outside of this downselect process. To apply for this limited submission, please use this link:
Notes: 
No Applicants