The ongoing evidence crisis in artificial intelligence (AI) applications for healthcare has become increasingly evident, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Despite the deployment of AI-powered triage assistants, diagnostic tools, and large language model-based symptom checkers from regions such as Kenya to Myanmar, there remains a significant lack of rigorous local evidence to support these technologies. Only four of the 86 randomized clinical trials on AI health tools conducted globally from 2018 to 2023 were situated in LMICs—areas where community health workers and primary care clinicians are often most overburdened and in need of effective decision support.
Governments in these regions face challenges in adopting or scaling AI tools that have not been tested within their own clinical environments, languages, and workflow realities. Without this crucial localization, promising technologies risk failing to transition from proof-of-concept to real-world impact, potentially wasting investments while exacerbating existing healthcare disparities.
In response to this critical need for localized evidence, the Evidence for AI in Health (EVAH) initiative has launched a funding program aimed at evaluating AI-enabled clinical decision support tools already in use by frontline health workers in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. Funded by the Wellcome Trust, the Gates Foundation, and the Novo Nordisk Foundation, EVAH is accepting proposals to support two distinct pathways for promising AI tools.
The first pathway, designated as Pathway A, offers up to $1 million for projects lasting between three to twelve months. This pathway is intended for AI tools that are still in the early stages of real-world deployment and aims to evaluate usability, workflow integration, adoption, safety, and initial cost-effectiveness. Pathway B, on the other hand, provides up to $3 million for tools that are ready to scale and focuses on assessing measurable impacts on health outcomes, system efficiency, and equity across various populations over a duration of twelve to twenty-four months.
Both funding pathways require that the tools are beyond the proof-of-concept stage, with established partnerships for deployment already in place. A diverse range of organizations—including nonprofits, for-profits, academic institutions, government agencies, and multi-actor consortia—are eligible to apply. However, proposals must be led by organizations registered and operational in the target regions, with at least 80% of the funds allocated to regional entities.
The deadline for proposals is April 1, 2026, signaling an urgent call to action for relevant organizations to contribute to building a more robust evidence base for AI in healthcare, particularly in under-resourced settings. As the demand for effective healthcare solutions escalates, securing funding for these initiatives could play a pivotal role in enhancing health services and outcomes in communities that need them the most.
For stakeholders interested in exploring further funding opportunities or seeking guidance for technology-related startups, signing up for email updates is encouraged. This initiative aims to provide ongoing information about various funding opportunities, thereby supporting efforts to strengthen health systems through the innovative use of technology.
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