Global Initiative Seeks Proposals to Evaluate AI Tools in Healthcare

A global research initiative is inviting proposals to study how artificial intelligence can improve healthcare delivery in low- and middle-income regions. The Evidence for AI in Health (EVAH) program is supported by the Wellcome Trust, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Novo Nordisk Foundation, and is being implemented in collaboration with the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab and the African Population and Health Research Center.

The initiative has launched its first Request for Proposals (RFP), targeting research teams interested in evaluating AI-enabled clinical decision support tools used in primary and community healthcare settings. These technologies are designed to assist frontline health workers with tasks such as triage, diagnosis, and referrals. The program specifically focuses on projects operating in Sub‑Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.

The application window opened on February 20, 2026, and proposals must be submitted by April 1, 2026. Applicants with questions about the call for proposals can submit them before March 6, with responses expected to be published as a public FAQ on March 13. Initial notifications on whether proposals will proceed to further review are expected in June 2026.

Researchers can apply through two funding pathways. Pathway A offers grants of up to $1 million for studies examining how early-stage AI tools perform in real-world clinical environments, including their usability, safety, and integration into existing healthcare workflows. Pathway B, which provides funding of up to $3 million, supports large-scale impact evaluations aimed at measuring how AI-driven tools influence health outcomes and overall health system performance.

The call is open to universities, nonprofit organizations, private companies, government agencies, and international institutions, as well as partnerships among these groups. However, projects are expected to be led by institutions based in the targeted regions.

According to the organizers, the goal is to generate practical evidence that can guide policymakers, health ministries, and development partners in responsibly integrating AI technologies into healthcare systems and scaling up effective solutions. Apply HERE