1. MassAITC Pilot Program Overview
The Massachusetts AI and Technology Center for Connected Care in Aging & Alzheimer’s Disease (MassAITC) is a multidisciplinary National Institute on Aging P30 Research Collaboratory spanning the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). MassAITC is a founding member of the Artificial Intelligence and Technology Collaboratories for Aging Research (AITC) Program.
MassAITC is pleased to issue this call for proposals through the AITC Annual National Research Award Competition. We seek pilot projects aligned with our mission of fostering research, development, and validation of AI-enhanced technologies that support healthy aging in place of choice for older adults, individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, and their caregivers. MassAITC encourages submissions from industry researchers, academic-industry partnerships, and academic teams interested in pursuing commercialization or translation of their work.
2. Funding Opportunity Description
For this application cycle, MassAITC expects to fund 10 to 15 non-clinical trial pilot projects and one clinical trial pilot project. At least 80% of research funds will be allocated to projects focused on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD), while at most 20% of research funds will be allocated to projects focused on other aging research topics.
Award Types:
- Non-clinical trial projects: These projects are anticipated to be funded for a 12-24 month period with a maximum budget of $200,000 in direct costs
- Clinical trial pilot projects: These projects are anticipated to be funded for a 12-24 month period with a maximum budget of $300,000 in direct costs. For this application cycle, teams proposing a clinical trial must have prior experience and the research infrastructure required to conduct NIH clinical trials.
Key Dates:
- November 3, 2026 | 4-5pm ET. AITC Annual National Research Award Competition Letter of Intent (LOI) Informational Webinar (Register Here)
- November 4, 2026 | 4-5pm ET. MassAITC LOI Applicant Informational Webinar (Register Here)
- November 16, 2026. Letters of Intent due.
- December 15, 2026. Invitations to submit full application distributed.
- January 22, 2027. Full application due.
For eligibility, submission instructions, frequently asked questions, and more, see the AITC Annual National Research Award Competition website https://aitcc.ai/rfa/aitc-ara-27-001.
3. MassAITC Pilot Research Focus Areas
MassAITC seeks pilot projects aimed at developing, validating, or translating AI models and tools, as well as AI-enhanced devices, to support the health and well-being of older adults, individuals with AD/ADRD, and their caregivers. MassAITC is particularly interested in projects developing technologies to support aging in place of choice, including individual homes, independent senior living communities, assisted living facilities, memory care units, and nursing homes. MassAITC also invites projects focused on advancing the fundamental understanding of the biology of aging and AD/ADRD. MassAITC anticipates that addressing these challenges will require comprehensive technology solutions proposed by interdisciplinary teams. Information on previously funded MassAITC pilot projects is available at: https://massaitc.org/pilot-awardees/
Priority Topic Areas for the 2027 Award Cycle include:
- Development and implementation of novel device technologies (e.g., wearables, mobile and wireless sensors, including biosensors) and AI models to support monitoring and prediction of health, cognition, and overall well-being for older adults and individuals with AD/ADRD, with a focus on approaches that can be deployed outside of the clinic.
- Development and implementation of AI-enhanced tools for use by formal and informal caregivers of older adults and individuals with AD/ADRD, such as virtual assistants, care coordination and navigation tools, decision support tools, real-time care coaching and training tools, fraud and financial exploitation detection tools, and emotional and social support tools.
- Development and implementation of AI-enhanced devices and apps (e.g., smart glasses, mobile devices, robotics, and AI agents) for supporting memory, cognition, communication, mobility, and activities of daily living.
- Development and implementation of novel device technologies and AI models that enable the early detection of cognitive decline and/or the identification of specific dementia subtypes, with a focus on approaches that can be deployed outside of the clinic.
- Development and application of foundation models and other AI approaches to advance the fundamental understanding of the biology of aging, including approaches that advance the mechanistic understanding of AD/ADRD.
4. Access to MassAITC Resources
Project teams that need access to research facilities, study cohorts, or clinical/technical expertise should contact MassAITC for assistance through our Applicant Inquiry Form prior to Letter of Intent (LOI) submission. MassAITC can provide guidance in identifying research partners through our primary institutions (UMass Amherst & MGH) and assistance with accessing MassAITC resources, including a variety of fee-for-service research core facilities. MassAITC can also assist with matching pilot teams with members of our National Network of Pilot Partners (N2P2). The N2P2 includes sites across the country that specialize in research on aging or Alzheimer’s disease (see: https://massaitc.org/facilities-cores-and-implementation-sites-for-pilot-projects/).
5. MassAITC Pilot Grant Recipient Expectations
The pilot project PI will submit a quarterly report and meet with an assigned mentor from MassAITC quarterly during the lifecycle of the pilot project. The assigned mentor will monitor project progress and be available to help strategize, assist with navigating pitfalls, etc. Pilot investigators will be required to engage with MassAITC by:
- Attending and presenting at the in-person AITC Annual Symposium
- Presenting webinars in the Center’s webinar series
- Submitting materials needed to support the MassAITC annual progress reporting process
- Submitting a final report at the close-out of the project
- Sharing non-proprietary data, algorithms, and resources with NIH-controlled, NIH-supported, or non-NIH generalist repositories
- Informing MassAITC of new outcomes related to their funded project (publications, follow-on funding, patents awarded, etc.)
- Potentially serving as a reviewer for future pilot award cycles