Johns Hopkins Data Science and AI Institute Demonstration Projects

The Johns Hopkins Data Science and AI Institute is proud to announce the launch of the Demonstration Projects funding program, 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.

The funding program will support long-term Demonstration Projects on high-impact translational projects that bring researchers, engineers, and/or clinicians across the institution and potentially external partners together. The 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 is already externally funded. The program is expected to accelerate translation and lead to strong additional external funding, philanthropic support, and new partnerships. 

The application deadline is March 15, 2024.

Submit your application to [email protected].

Eligibility:

Applications for the Demonstration Projects program are open to all Johns Hopkins faculty, clinicians, and APL professional staff.

To be eligible for Demonstration Projects support, the proposing team must already have external support for their research project or program. The team 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.

Funding:

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 a review at the end of year two. Continued support for the long-term will be predicated on need and demonstrating the achievement of outcomes and measurable milestones.
  • 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.

In this first cycle, with co-sponsorship from the Malone Center for Engineering in Healthcare, up to two of these projects will be in medicine and healthcare, exploring the potential of AI to advance healthcare delivery and improve patient outcomes. Translational projects that culminate in prospective patient studies are particularly welcome.

Guidelines:

Applications will consist of the following elements:

  • Title Page. Please include proposal title, investigators, with their departments, schools, and email addresses.
  • Narrative. The narrative should not exceed 4 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 1 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 in the first round of funding.
  • Team description. Describe the team composition for the Demonstration Award project, and how the team’s expertise is appropriate for the project.
  • Attractiveness for future funding. State how this project will help the proposing team attract additional external funding. Which funding agencies and programs will be approached with future proposals?
  • Budget and Budget Justification. Budget must not exceed $100,000 per year, for 2 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.
  • Up to five key words to aid in reviewer assignment.

Proposal Review Processes:

Proposals will be reviewed by a multidisciplinary committee of experts.

Review Criteria: 

  • Novelty and potential impact of the implementation of AI/DS within the domain of expertise of the team.
  • Evidence that the Demonstration Award project ties into and has augmented the current activities of the team.
  • Evidence of plan to secure additional and/or follow-on funding.
  • Ability to spend the funds by June 30th annually.

Post-Award Requirements:

Recipients will be required to submit a progress report at the end of the second year of funding. The reports should be no more than three pages describing use of the funding and work completed. 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], with a copy to [email protected] on September 30th 2025. At that time, requests for additional funding, up to 3 additional years, can be made. Continued support for the long-term will be predicated on need and demonstrating the achievement of outcomes and measurable milestones.

Deadlines:

Proposal Submission: March 15, 2024, by 11:59 pm.
Awards Announced: April 8, 2024
Award Start Date: July 1, 2024
Funds Spent by: June 30, 2025

Contact:

Please send submissions to [email protected] by the specified deadline. If you have any questions or need further information, please contact April Hawkins, Sr. Financial Manager at [email protected].