Johns Hopkins Data Science and AI Institute Demonstration Projects 2025

The Johns Hopkins Data Science and AI Institute is proud to announce the renewal of the Demonstration Projects Program for 2025, aimed at accelerating the development and deployment of data science (DS) and artificial intelligence (AI) tools in critical applications. This program is oriented towards translational efforts rather than fundamental research, i.e. on translating scientific discoveries into practical applications that improve the human condition. 

The program is open to all researchers at Johns Hopkins University. The funding program will support long-term demonstration projects on high-impact translational projects that bring together researchers of different expertise and skill sets across the institution. Demonstration projects are expected to demonstrate the substantial gains that can be achieved by developing, implementing, and deploying DS or AI within a research program that has already secured external funding (at the level of $100K or more). The program is expected to accelerate translation and promote deployment of DS/AI tools, and lead to strong additional external funding and/or philanthropic support. 

This program will provide two types of resources:

  • First, an annual funding stream of $100k per year for two years, with a potential extension to five years after an assessment of needs at the end of year two. Continued support beyond two years will be predicated on demonstrating achievements in translation outcomes and completing measurable milestones oriented towards DS/AI tool deployment in the community. Evaluation will take place after each year of support.  
  • Second, the program will provide the time of a Data Science and AI Institute research software engineer or research data scientist who will be embedded with the team over the duration of the project, to contribute to software implementation and algorithm deployment. The Data Science and AI Institute technical staff will also provide assistance with using Institute computational infrastructure and/or cloud resources. 

The Demonstration Projects Program is not a seed grant program. To be eligible for demonstration projects support, the proposing team must already have external support for their research program and should be able to articulate why and how the additional funds and software engineering support in developing, implementing, and deploying DS/AI will provide dramatic and measurable advancements with a translational outcome. A team that has already been working together to some degree will have a competitive advantage, and every team is encouraged to include an expert (e.g., a consultant) advising the team on safety, ethics, or FAIR practices. Annual funds will need to be spent by June 30 each year. 

We will fund two demonstration project awards following a rigorous review process. Each applicant can participate in only one demonstration project, regardless of whether they are a PI on the proposal or not. Grantees from the preceding round of demonstration projects are not eligible to apply for this round. 

Translational projects that culminate in prospective studies are particularly welcome.   

To apply for the program please submit your proposal at https://forms.office.com/r/vUa5xyjRPu.
Eligibility: 

Applications for the Demonstration Projects Program are open to all Johns Hopkins faculty, clinicians, and APL professional staff. Each applicant can participate in only one demonstration project, regardless of whether they are a PI on the proposal or not. Grantees from the preceding round of demonstration projects are not eligible to apply in this round. 

Deadlines: 

Call for proposals: January 8, 2025
Proposal submission: March 3, 2025 by 11:59 p.m.
Awards announced: June 16, 2025
Award start date: July 1, 2025
First Year Funds Spent by: June 30, 2026 

Guidelines:

You will be asked to include the following: 

  • Title Page: Please include proposal title, investigators, with their departments, schools, and email addresses.  Provide up to five key words  to aid in reviewer assignment. 
  • Narrative: The narrative should not exceed four pages, excluding references. Please use 12-point font and margins no smaller than 1/2 inch. The narrative must include the following sections:  
    • Translational objectives of the proposing team’s research program or project, which are expected to be augmented by the demonstration award. Indicate current sources of funding for the project or program. Not to exceed one page.
    • Objectives of the demonstration award research: Describe the approach to be pursued during the two years of funding. Describe how deploying DS/AI will provide dramatic and measurable advancements in the team’s research program or project. Elaborate how the demonstration award funds and software engineering support will propel the development, implementation, and deployment of DS/AI. Every team is encouraged to include an expert (e.g., a consultant) advising the team on safety, ethics, or FAIR practices. Translational projects that culminate in prospective patient studies are particularly welcome.  
  • Budget and Budget Justification: Budget must not exceed $100,000 per year, for two years. Indirect costs are not allowed. Please provide a budget breakdown that describes how the funding will be allocated to each investigator on the team, and how it will be apportioned for any personnel, supplies, equipment or other project expenses.  
  • Curriculum Vitae: A current CV or biosketch for all investigators. 
  • Ensure all required documents are included in the proposal packet. Incomplete applications will be withdrawn. 
  • Documents should be compiled and submitted as one pdf file.
Proposal Submission Processes: 

Demonstration project proposals should be submitted in PDF format by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, March 3, 2025, for internal technical and financial review. Please submit your application here: https://forms.office.com/r/vUa5xyjRPu 

Proposal Review Processes: 

Proposals will be reviewed by a multidisciplinary committee of experts who are members or affiliate members of DSAI or former demonstration project grantees. 

Criteria for Selection: 
  • Significant impact of the implementation of AI/DS approaches on the advancement of the research program of the applicants
  • Project with strong translational objectives and potential deployment outcomes 
  • Evidence of existing external finding of $100K or more for the research program 
  • Innovation in approaches 
  • Well-structured plan of tasks and milestones 
  • A team of diverse experience and skill sets 
  • Evidence of plans to secure follow-on funding
Post-Award Requirements: 

Recipients will be required to submit annual progress reports. The reports should be no more than two pages describing use of the funding and work completed; figures are welcome and not included in the page count. Please provide a list of any proposals submitted to external funding agencies or foundations, and/or papers submitted or in preparation. Please submit the report to [email protected] annually on September 30. 

Contact: 

Please address any questions to Katie Vaught, Data Science and AI Institute program manager, at [email protected]. 

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