Phase 1 Submissions Due July 31, 2026, by 5:00 p.m. ET to CaregiverAI@acl.hhs.gov
Cover Page
Submit your application with a Cover Page including necessary application information listed below. Cover pages are not to exceed one (1) page in length. (Updated as of 5/27/26)
- Team name/organization
- AI solution name/title
- Primary contact/Team leader name
- Primary contact/Team leader email address
- Primary contact/Team leader phone number (including area code)
- Primary Contact’s Status: (Must be either a U.S. Citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident to be eligible for the challenge. Verification may be requested.)
- Alternate Contact Name (optional)
- Alternate Contact E-mail Address (optional)
- Alternate Contact Telephone Number (including area code) (optional)
- Team member names/Team member organizations (if applicable)
- Track (Track this application is applying to noted as “Track 1” or “Track 2”)
- Abstract (no more than 250 words)
(Updated as of 5/27/26)
Project Narrative
The Project Narrative is not to exceed 15 pages in length. Please include page numbers and label the narrative with the exact section headings used below.
The Challenge Team has developed this guide to provide more information on how your application can demonstrate the technology requirements and Technology Readiness Level 3 requirement. (Updated as of 5/27/26)
Section 1: Understanding of Need and Solution Design
- Clearly describe the specific challenges your solution addresses and explain why these challenges are significant to the overall caregiver experience.
- Describe the AI-enabled tool(s) and how they help caregivers overcome daily challenges or help organizations create efficiencies. Include a description of the existing and new methods of AI technologies or methods that were used, combined, or built upon to design the proposed solution.
- Describe the AI current stage of development. AI-enabled tools should be at Technology Readiness Level 3 or higher to be eligible for this opportunity. Include:
- An explanation of how the solution was designed with input from end users (e.g., caregivers, care recipients, organization staff).
- Promising data, research, or prior work that supports the solution’s design.
Section 2: Implementation Approach
- Outline how the solution will be implemented and tested, measured, and evaluated to demonstrate real-world viability. Include:
- Deployment readiness and feasibility. Consider including identification of key elements contributing to success, such as partnerships, technical tasks, and rollout activities.
- Plans to incorporate user-centered design in the implementation, testing, and refinement of the AI solutions.
- Timeline for achieving a complete solution, including milestones and goals.
- Team member roles and expertise, described in a brief biographical sketch highlighting relevant experience and expertise, current affiliation (institution, organization, company), and their role and contribution to the proposed solution.
- The process the team will use to test and adapt the solution to demonstrate alignment with the Challenge Priorities and AI Principles.
- Metrics and procedures for measuring performance that adhere to expectations for data privacy and algorithm performance over time.
- Evaluation and continuous improvement plan, including plans for gathering input and feedback from end users (e.g., caregivers, older adults, individuals with disabilities, providers, organization staff).
- Include information about safety and bias mitigation monitoring.
Section 3: Usability and Integration
- Explain how the design prevents user errors and supports human judgment.
- Describe transparency features (how users understand what the system is doing).
- Detail plans for realistic usability testing.
- Describe integration into target environments (e.g., home, organizations).
- Address interoperability with EMRs, health systems, or assistive devices (if applicable).
Section 4: Alignment with Caregiver AI Principles
- Show how your AI solution does or will align with the Caregiver AI Principles.
Section 5: Meritorious Prize Eligibility (Optional)
- If applicable, explain how your solution addresses one or more of the meritorious focus areas as a central part of your design or process.
Appendices
Appendices are limited to 10 pages and can include documents such as letters of support or commitment from partners and other support documents.
Data Output Logs (New as of 5/27/2026)
The Challenge Team has published additional information on how you can show the technology readiness of your AI solution. These documents are optional; however, they will facilitate the assessment of your application's eligibility for the Challenge.
Data Output Logs to support your technology readiness can be submitted as a separate document and do not count toward your page limit or appendices. There is no page limit for the Data Output Logs, but they will only be reviewed as a data source to support the narrative in the rest of the application.