Administration for Community Living (ACL): Caregiver AI Challenge

Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).

Executive Summary:

The Caregiver AI Challenge is a new federal prize competition launched by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to accelerate practical, ethical, and scalable AI technologies that support caregivers—including family, friends, and direct care workers—across the U.S. Caregiving demands are rising dramatically, and this challenge seeks tools that reduce caregiver burden, improve quality of care, and strengthen workforce systems. Phase 1 of the competition is open for applications now, with a Phase 1 deadline of July 31, 2026 for submissions.

How much funding would I receive?

• Total Phase 1 funding pool: up to $2.5 million across prizes for winners.

• Phase 1 prizes: Up to 10 awards of up to $100,000 each per track.

• Additional merit prizes up to $50,000 for targeted focus areas (e.g., dementia support, interoperability, partnerships).

• Subsequent phases will have additional prizes (to be announced).

What could I use the funding for?

Caregiver Support Tools (Track 1)

• AI technologies that assist home caregivers with daily tasks.

• Tools that improve scheduling, monitoring, communication, safety, documentation reduction, or training support.

Workforce Support Tools (Track 2)

• AI solutions that help home care employers and networks improve efficiency, task automation, staff scheduling, recruitment/retention, and training systems.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

• Public recognition and validation of your technology within federal aging/disability networks.

• Technical assistance and access to federal and non-federal partners during phases.

• Potential momentum toward commercialization, scaling, and follow-on opportunities.

What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?

• Phase 1 application deadline: July 31, 2026 (established in press coverage).

• Winners for Phase 1 are selected after the application review following that deadline.

• Funding is typically paid out after phase awards are announced and eligibility requirements are met.

Where does this funding come from?

This is a federal prize competition administered by the ACL within HHS and conducted under the America COMPETES Act, aimed at catalyzing innovation in caregiving through responsible AI technologies.

Who is eligible to apply?

Individuals, teams, or organizations of any type may apply as long as they comply with competition eligibility.

1. Applicants must be 18 or older.

2. U.S. citizens/permanent residents are eligible to win prizes; non-U.S. participants can participate but cannot receive prize awards.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

Likely winners will propose AI solutions that:

• Are already at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) ≥ 3 with concrete design and use cases.

• Demonstrate strong human-centered design with caregiver input.

• Show potential to improve caregiving safety, reduce burden, or extend workforce capabilities.

• Align with responsible AI principles (privacy, accountability, transparency, safety).

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

• Federal employees/involved parties and federal entities cannot win.

• Solutions must directly address caregiver challenges (not tangential AI tech).

• Must respect competition responsible AI design principles (e.g., privacy, dignity, user control).

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

Preparation time will vary based on the maturity of your AI tool; typical steps include:

• Defining caregiver problems and solution design (expert interviews).

• Documenting technology readiness and evidence of impact.

• Drafting implementation/testing plans that integrate caregiver/user feedback.
  Expect several weeks to months of preparation for a competitive submission.

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO can:

• Translate the competition’s priorities into compelling narrative Q&A (aligned with HHS goals).

• Map your technology’s current progress to the Phase 1 judging criteria.

• Assist with application drafting to emphasize caregiver impact and responsible AI design.

How much would BW&CO Charge?

We have both fractional engagements ($250 an hour) and full engagements ($13,000 + 5%) available.

Additional Resources

Review the solicitation here.