The anticipated application cycle for the fourth annual a2 Pilot Awards will be as follows:
1. Round 1 applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. ET on April 30, 2024.
2. Those who are invited to submit a Round 2 application will receive notification by June 14, 2024. Applicants who are not invited to complete a Round 2 application will also receive direct notification.
3. Invited Round 2 applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. ET on July 30, 2024.
4. AITCs will select finalists and notify all Round 2 applicants of results in mid-September 2024. With AITC guidance, finalists will then complete and submit formal grant application packets for NIA review.
5. NIA formal award notification is expected in fall 2024.
6. Projects are expected to begin in early 2025.
Prospective applicants can view PDFs of the Round 1 and Round 2 applications in our Applicant Resources section. To begin a Round 1 application submission, please click the Apply button here. Round 1 applications for the fourth annual a2 Pilot Awards will be accepted from March 1, 2024, to April 30, 2024. Round 2 applications will be accepted (from invited applicants only) from June 14, 2024, to July 30, 2024. Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. ET on the stated deadline.
Yes. Applicants must indicate their preferred AITC as part of their application submission and are strongly encouraged to research the AITCs and their resources to help determine the best fit. If the selected AITC does not wish to advance the application for further consideration, it may release the application to other AITCs for potential funding consideration.
Although not required, applicants are encouraged to reach out to their AITC of choice to discuss their project and AITC resources of interest in order to assess feasibility and application readiness. AITCs can also provide support related to questions about previous a2 Pilot Awards applications, budgetary information for the use of AITC resources, and potential collaborations. Reaching out to the AITC as early as possible in the application process is strongly recommended. Prospective applicants can reach JH AITC at jhu-aitc@jh.edu, MassAITC atmassaitc@umass.edu, and PennAITech at pennaitech@nursing.upenn.edu.
Round 2 applicants who are interested in leveraging AITC research facilities or services in their projects should arrange those relationships during the application process by contacting the AITC and allocating funds in the project budget.
Yes. The application portal requires identification of a contact PI for the project, who must be affiliated with the prime applicant organization (rather than a subcontract organization). Co-PIs can be indicated in additional key personnel profiles within the application.
Yes. An applicant can propose multiple unique pilot projects by submitting a separate application for each project, whether to one or multiple AITCs. Simultaneous submission of overlapping (i.e., substantively similar) pilot projects in a single competition cycle, whether to one AITC or to multiple AITCs, is not permitted. Violation of this policy will result in disqualification of one or more of the applications.
Yes. The Round 2 application can expand on or modify the material presented in the Round 1 application, including in response to AITC feedback on the Round 1 application. Applicants are encouraged to discuss any significant changes to project scope, budget, or key collaborators with the AITC during the Round 2 application process.
For questions about the application or any resources provided on this website, please contact support@a2collective.ai. For questions about individual AITC resources, a specific project’s fit with AITC emphases, or a prior a2 Pilot Awards application, please contact the AITC of interest directly. Prospective applicants can reach JH AITC at jhu-aitc@jh.edu, MassAITC at massaitc@umass.edu, and PennAITech at pennaitech@nursing.upenn.edu.
