SC AI-Ready Healthcare Workforce Initiative

Proposal Content 

Applicants must submit a complete proposal (using one-inch page margins with font size 11 or 12) containing the following:

1. Proposal Cover (2 Pages) 

Use the Cover Page form in Appendix A.

2. Project Summary (1 Page) 

The Project Description should provide the following information (including work being done by contractors, consultants, and sub-awardees, if any). Separate sections with headings must be included for each of the following five sections

a. Program Design and Curriculum: Describe the overall goals, objectives, and anticipated outcomes of the proposed training program. Include a description of the AI-focused curriculum content, learning objectives, and practical skills participants are expected to develop, including relevant topics such as AI-enabled biomedical devices, clinical decision support systems, AI-assisted imaging technologies, AI ethics and bias mitigation, cybersecurity and privacy considerations, regulatory issues, and clinical workflow integration. Identify AI tools that will be used by trainees.

b. Instructional Methodology and Qualifications: Describe the instructional methodologies and educational approaches to be employed, including workshops, simulation-based, case-based, or experiential learning activities, hands-on training, online modules, case studies, and interdisciplinary learning activities. Specify the mode of delivery (in-person, online, hybrid, synchronous, or asynchronous). Include the experience of the proposing team in developing, implementing, and delivering similar programs.

c. Target Audience, Recruiting and Participant Selection: Identify the intended target audience, including learner level and anticipated participant numbers. Proposed training programs must include medical students, residents and fellows, clinicians, nurses, nursing students, healthcare administrators, and/or other healthcare professionals, as appropriate.

Describe participant recruitment and outreach strategies. If demand exceeds available capacity, describe how participants will be prioritized. Specify the minimum number of participants expected per training delivery. Selected applicants are required to develop and deliver the training programs at least two times before August 1, 2028 with at least 20 participants in each program offering.

d. Evaluation, Deliverables, and Dissemination: Describe participant assessment and outcome evaluation plans, including methods for measuring participant learning, competency development, completion rates, and overall program effectiveness. Describe anticipated project deliverables, including curriculum materials, educational resources, learner toolkits, assessment instruments, recorded content, and dissemination materials to be developed as part of the project. Describe how developed curriculum materials and educational resources will be made publicly available to support broader workforce development across South Carolina and beyond, consistent with NSF data management and open dissemination requirements.

e. Implementation Timeline: Describe the proposed program duration and anticipated delivery schedule. Training programs must be delivered a minimum of two times before August 1, 2028, with each delivery reaching a distinct audience or cohort unless otherwise justified. Describe each major project activity, identify the quarters during which each activity will be conducted, and identify the individuals responsible. Present this information in a chart similar to the chart below.

3. References Cited

Reference information is required. Each reference must include the name of all authors (in same sequence in which they appear in the publication), article title, journal title, book title, volume number, page numbers, and year of publication.

4. Results from Prior SC EPSCoR Support (1 Page per Award)

If the senior personnel have not received support from SC EPSCoR, include a statement to the effect. If the PI identified on the proposal has received a SC EPSCoR award as a PI since January 1, 2024, the following information must be provided:

• • • • Title of the project, start date, date completed, and award amount.
      • List of proposals, publications and other products resulting from the award

5. Budget

Use the Budget form in Appendix B. Indirect Costs (F&A): Indirect costs may be included in proposed budgets.

6. Budget Justification (2 Pages Maximum)

The budget justification must be composed of no more than two pages and must address every budget item requested.

7. Facilities, Equipment and Other Resources (2 Pages Maximum)

This section should provide a concise narrative describing the facilities, equipment, personnel, and institutional resources that will be available to support the proposed project. Include only resources directly relevant to the work. The goal is to demonstrate that adequate resources are available to successfully complete the project. For more information, visit https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/24-1/ch-2-proposal-preparation#ch2D2g

8. Biographical Sketch

A biographical sketch is required for each senior/key personnel in NSF format. Biographical Sketch must be created and certified in SciENcv (Science Experts Network Curriculum Vitae). For more information, visit https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/24-1/ch-2-proposal-preparation#ch2D2hi.

9. Synergistic Activities

A one-page Synergistic Activities document is required for all senior personnel in NSF format. For more information on the Synergistic Activity format, visit https://new.nsf.gov/funding/senior- personnel-documents#synergistic-activitiesec2

10. Data Management and Sharing Plan (2 Pages Maximum)

This section should describe how research products generated by the project will be managed, shared, and preserved in accordance with NSF policy. Follow the guidance provided by NSF at https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/24-1/ch-2-proposal-preparation#ch2D2i-ii

Proposal Review Process 

Proposal will be first reviewed to determine whether they meet the eligibility requirements and the guidelines of this solicitation. Proposals that pass this administrative review will be evaluated by external reviewers based upon the extent to which they meet specific criteria including but not limited to:

• • Quality and relevance to AI-enabled biomedical devices and related healthcare technologies, and operational readiness.
  • Whether the plan for carrying out the proposed activities is well-reasoned, well-organized, and based on a sound rationale; and whether it incorporates a mechanism to assess success.
  • Qualifications of the project team, number of participants in the training, recruiting and selection of participants strategy, assessment of measurable outcomes, and budget justification.

Intellectual Property and Copyright

Curriculum materials, educational resources, assessment instruments, recorded content, and other works developed in whole or in part with funds from this award are subject to the following terms:

• • Ownership: The awardee institution retains ownership of all copyrightable works produced under this award.
  • License to SC EPSCoR and ADAPT in SC: By accepting an award, the awardee grants SC EPSCoR and the ADAPT in SC initiative a non-exclusive, royalty-free, irrevocable license to reproduce, distribute, and display developed materials for educational, reporting, and program evaluation purposes.
  • Open Dissemination: Awardees are strongly encouraged to make developed curriculum materials and educational resources publicly available (e.g., via institutional repositories or open-access platforms) to support broader workforce development across South Carolina and beyond. Consistent with NSF requirements, awardees must comply with applicable data management and sharing policies. A Data Management Plan is required as part of the project and must address how project data and educational materials will be stored, preserved, and made accessible.
  • Third-Party Materials: Awardees are responsible for ensuring that any third-party content incorporated into developed materials is used in compliance with applicable copyright law and licensing terms.
  • Acknowledgement Requirement: All developed materials must include the acknowledgement statement specified under Award and Reporting Requirements.

Intellectual Property and Copyright

• • All publications are required to include an acknowledgement “[publication, training materials, press release, presentation] was supported in part by the U.S. NSF Award # OIA-2242812 and SC EPSCoR (insert SC EPSCoR award number). The views, perspectives, and content do not necessarily represent the official views of the U.S. NSF nor those of the SC EPSCoR.”
  • Principal Investigators will be required to provide names, email addresses, affiliations, and position titles of all participants in the training program.
  • Awardees are expected to provide required information and documentation to the SC EPSCoR Program and the ADAPT in SC External Evaluator as needed. SC EPSCoR Program reserves the right to conduct site visits during the project period for evaluation and reporting purposes.
  • Brief progress reports are due every quarter and the final report is due 60 days after the completion of the award. Templates for quarterly and final reports will be provided