October 7, 2026
Pilot grants open: up to $50,000 for AI and data science in medicine
The PAC-AID Pilot Project Program is now accepting letters of intent for its Year 2, Call 1 awards.
The program funds biomedical and health research in which artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, or biomedical informatics is integral to the work. Projects that use Hawaiʻi data or other Hawaiʻi-specific resources, and that build toward an NIH R01, receive priority. Each award comes with consultation from the MEDAI Core on AI/ML, bioinformatics, data science, and data management.
Awards
- At least two awards, up to $50,000 in direct costs each, for a 12-month project period. A third award may be made if proposals are strong.
- Indirect costs are not allowed.
- The Pilot Project Leader commits at least one person-month of effort.
Who can apply
Applicants need an appointment in the University of Hawaiʻi System or RCUH that allows them to serve as a Principal Investigator, and must meet NIH/NIGMS eligibility for COBRE Pilot Project Leaders. Full Professors are not eligible, and a Pilot Project Leader may not at the same time lead a project on another IDeA award (COBRE, INBRE, or IDeA-CTR). Early Stage Investigators are especially encouraged to apply.
Two stages
| Step | Date |
|---|---|
| Letter of intent (required) | Friday, October 16, 2026, 5:00 PM HST |
| Invitations to submit a full application | Friday, October 23, 2026 |
| Full applications (by invitation only) | Monday, November 16, 2026, 5:00 PM HST |
| Award notification (anticipated) | December 30, 2026 |
| Pilot projects begin (anticipated) | March 1, 2027 |
The LOI is one PDF with cover information, a one-page project description, and the PI’s NIH biosketch. Email it to PACAID_COBRe@cc.hawaii.edu with the subject line PAC-AID Pilot Project LOI – [Last Name].
The Pilot Grants page has the full LOI contents, application requirements, review criteria, and contacts for scientific and administrative questions.