Innovative Design Alcove (IDEAL) Program

Sponsored by the Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Research Design Resource (BERD) and the Mailman School of Public Health TRAIL (Translational AI Laboratory) Initiative.

Overview

BERD, in collaboration with TRAIL, is launching a new pilot program for investigators looking to incorporate and leverage the latest machine learning and AI technologies into a future grant proposal. The program will select promising submissions and facilitate developing and implementing ML/AI algorithms to support their proposal’s clinical objectives. It will also facilitate study design, statistical considerations, and potentially other key areas such as budgeting, grantsmanship, and regulatory compliance.

Successful applicants can expect:

• Twice-monthly meetings with course faculty to ensure structure and timeliness in completing grant proposal milestones
• Guidance on innovative trial design by Biostatistics faculty at each meeting
• Access to other Irving Institute services and programs
• Expert review on a working draft of your grant proposal application

Submission materials:

• Letter of support (Department Chair or Division Chief)
• Target for funding and submission date<
• Bio-sketch for each team member
• Write-up of your project’s initial concepts (up to 2 pages)
  • Rationale & objectives, endpoints, and study population
  • Data source, data readiness, and data sharing plan
  • Proposed use of AI or machine learning to address study objectives