Call for Applications: AI Accelerator Grant Program

The purpose of this grantmaking program is to bring together researchers across the world and provide funds for ovarian cancer research using Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, such as machine learning. They believe this type of collaboration will allow for sharing of knowledge, expertise, innovation and resources, spark new ideas to achieve groundbreaking results to better the lives of ovarian cancer survivors, and accelerate scientific research globally.

Applications must demonstrate collaboration across USA, Canada, UK and Australia, in addition to the use of AI-driven innovation and patient involvement. Proposals may build upon existing work or introduce novel projects. Applications will be jointly reviewed by experts in ovarian cancer and AI, and global patient advocates.

Funding Information

• Support of up to $1,000,000 USD total over three years will be awarded to the institution of the Principal Investigator.

Eligibility Criteria

• This collaborative grant requires a team of researchers. The Principal Investigator (one Principal Investigator [PI] must be selected and there may only be one PI) and other lead investigators must have full-time faculty appointments in a university, in a school of medicine or public health, a recognized non-profit scientific research facility, or medical research institute. They should not currently be in a training program, such as a postdoctoral fellowship program.
• Teams must consist of at least 4 lead senior researchers with representation from at least the following countries: United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. The lead investigators from each country should not currently be in a training program.
• Teams must include involvement of an AI specialist or experienced AI researcher to ensure robust methodology and innovation.
• It is strongly preferred that teams include at least one member who is a clinician, MD/DO/PA, etc., or has relevant clinical experience, to ensure clinical translatability.
• You may also include a named investigator who is a patient or consumer partner in your team (optional), but you must have a clear plan on how they will be included on the project and in decision making.
• Proposed projects must demonstrate a significant application of AI in ovarian cancer research.
• Teams will have the option to select if they would like to partner with Microsoft AI For Good Lab on this grant which will give the research team access to support from Microsoft in the form of free, in-kind Azure computing credits. Of note, Microsoft waves all rights to all existing and new intellectual property (IP) generated from the project, and IP will remain under the researcher and/or their host institution.
• The selection committee will consider most favorably applications that are creative, innovative, that demonstrate a significant application of AI, and that hold the most promise in one or more of the following areas: screening and early detection; etiology and prevention; therapeutic discovery, development and response; recurrence monitoring; cancer biology; genetics. Submissions that focus on data management and infrastructure are also eligible.
• Funding is only available to accredited non-profit universities/colleges, non-profit research hospitals or institutes, or a recognized non-profit scientific research facility.
• Each applicant (the PI) may only submit one LOI.

Ineligibility Criteria

• For-profit entities, consulting companies, or non-profits who are not conducting the research themselves are not eligible for funding.

For more information, visit OCRA.