GAIN Program

 Proposals on this theme may address one or more of the following:  

1. 1. Explore the degree to which XAI approaches improve understanding of diagnostic outcomes. 
   2. Develop strategies for classification of bioimages from small data sets. 
   3. Use XAI approaches to accommodate multi-modal data (images and biosensor data) in biomedical classification. 
   4. Develop AI tools to accelerate the identification of biochemical compounds from complex biological samples. 
   5. Use XAI to assist decision-making for drug dosage control. 

Theme 3 – DL-Imaging Model-Enabled Biomedical Devices for Personalized Prognostic and Treatment Applications

Novel DL (Deep Learning) techniques are needed to actualize high-performance biomedical devices for prognosis and/or treatment. Current devices for these purposes depend on multiple data sources to make the final treatment decision, directly guide the treatment, or implement the treatment. Constructing a model that can effectively integrate multimodal data remains a challenge. Moreover, in many applications, there are limited human samples (e.g., patients) from whom the data can be collected, not to mention the limited number of samples that clinical experts can effectively annotate. Building high-performance DL models from a limited amount of data is critical for the successful development of AI-enabled biomedical devices. Furthermore, the data collected by different investigators, labs, and instruments have an inherent bias. The ability to generalize DL models constructed from limited data sources to many application scenarios determines whether the AI-enabled medical devices can be effectively applied to a general group. Additionally, current clinical practice seeks to leverage big data repositories collected over many years while still tailoring treatment for individual patients. Therefore, developing DL models for medical devices is different from training DL models in general image or text classification, where a large amount of training data is available. The ADAPT in SC will focus on innovation in the DL models and training data processing. 

Proposals in this area will conduct fundamental research on creating DL models for AI-enabled biomedical devices for prognosis and/or treatment from limited data. This research thrust aims to advance the field of AI-enabled medical devices for prognosis and/or treatment. The primary outcome of this research thrust will be fundamental knowledge that governs generating high-performance, generalizable DL algorithms from limited data.  

Proposals on this theme may address one or more of the following:  

1. 1. Improve ML algorithms for unannotated, incomplete, and limited available biomedical data. 
   2. Develop novel strategies for integrating multimodal data with imaging data. 
   3. Explore new methods for integrating clinically relevant data. 
   4. Translate XAI techniques to address the “black box” issue in DNNs. 
   5. Implement AI-enabled image analysis and multimodal data fusion into a risk stratification and decision-making tool for prognosis and treatment.  

Theme 4 – DT-Enabled Biomedical Devices for Rehabilitation and Therapy 

Rehabilitation is an important process for patients to optimize recovery following medical treatment. Today, for a given medical problem, there is a host of rehabilitation procedures and methods. However, determining the best or most suitable rehabilitation method for a given patient is difficult. Likewise, medical treatment of chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancer or rapidly developing ones such as sepsis requires physicians and patients to navigate through a sea of treatment pathways to identify the one suitable for the individual patient. An overarching scientific challenge is developing a system for an individual patient so that various available rehabilitation treatment regimens or active medical treatment pathways can be monitored and analyzed, and the outcome inferenced. The use of AI-enabled digital twins (DTs) can be a viable solution. A DT is a virtual representation of an object or system that spans its lifecycle; it synchronized with the real system in real-time and uses simulation to analyze and forecast the future state, ML, and causal analysis to aid decision-making and design of the patient-specific treatment pathway. An AI-enabled rehabilitation DT would be an ideal platform for clinicians to design an optimal rehabilitation strategy for a specific patient to realize a personalized treatment pathway. For diabetes, cancer, or septic patients, a DT can provide an intelligent assistant for the physician and patient to develop and optimize the treatment pathway dynamically. For the elderly and less serviced communities, DTs would provide additional AI-enabled, user-friendly instructional materials and devices.  

DT is a concept derived from the aerospace industry, where aircraft or spacecraft need to be evaluated virtually under potentially challenging or hazardous conditions to determine the need for replacement or reinforcement procedures. This concept perfectly fits the healthcare industry, but a fully functional DT platform in the healthcare industry has yet to be developed. Proposals in this area should address the development of such a platform that can be used for patients in various medical categories and communities. 

Proposals on this theme may address one or more of the following:  

1. 1. Develop methods for identifying foundational characteristics of a biomedical device to predict outcomes and infer causality. 
   2. Establish a DT framework consisting of multiple data types and model types (e.g., data-driven vs. mechanistic model-driven platform). 
   3. Identify and implement a digital twin module that optimally addresses the needs of a biomedical device. 
   4. Implement a developed DT model with a biomedical device for rehabilitation or a specific disease. 
   5. Create DT-enabled biological cell-based implantable biomedical devices. 
   6. Establish DT-based multiscale, mechanistic models for biomedical device developments. 
   7. Develop fundamental theories and technologies for time series modeling and causal analysis.  

Proposal Content 

The sections below represent the body of the proposal. Failure to submit the required sections will result in the proposal not being accepted or being returned without review. Note: Where indicated, the number of pages refers to the maximum number of pages allowed and must not be exceeded. 

1. Proposal Cover (2 Pages) 

Use the Cover Page form in Appendix A.

2. Project Summary (1 Page) 

Proposals must contain an NSF compliant project summary not to exceed one page in length. The Project Summary should be informative to others working in the same or related fields, and understandable to a broad audience within the scientific domain. The Project Summary must include the following three sections: 

Overview. Describe the activity that would result if the proposal were funded. Include a statement of the overarching goal of the project and the intellectual framework that organizes the work. Include the specific objectives, or for hypothesis-driven research include the central hypothesis and specific aims. Briefly describe the methods to be employed.

Intellectual Merit. Describe the potential of the proposed activity to advance knowledge, including what is novel or innovative about the proposed approach relative to the current state of the field.

Broader Impacts. Describe the potential of the proposed activity to benefit society and contribute to the achievement of specific, desired societal outcomes.

3. Project Description (Not to exceed 10 Pages) 

The Project Description should provide a clear statement of the work to be undertaken and must include the scientific and strategic objectives of the proposed work and expected significance, the relationship of this work to the present state of knowledge, the team’s relevant prior work and preliminary evidence supporting the feasibility of the proposed approach and methodology. The Project Description section must include at least the following sections (page numbers included should serve as general guidance):

a. Introduction

Use the introductory paragraph to establish the scientific problem being addressed, the gap or unmet need, and a statement of the project’s overarching goal. Briefly explain what makes the proposed approach novel relative to the current state of the field and existing approaches, identify the most relevant ADAPT in SC Theme(s), and how this work will position the PI to pursue funding from federal agencies and programs (specify agency and program).

b. Research Framework and Relevance 

• • • • • State the objectives or hypothesis and aims of the proposed work and their scientific significance to the field.
        • Elaborate on how the proposed research and potential outcomes contribute to the goals and Themes of the ADAPT in SC project outlined in Section B. Identify the Theme(s) in Section B above, and one or more of the items in the numbered list under the theme(s) with which the proposed work best identifies.

c. Prior Relevant Research, Qualifications and Preliminary Data

Use this section to establish the intellectual bases for the proposed work and to demonstrate the relevant qualifications of the PI and any collaborator. Summarize the current state of knowledge in the field, identify the gaps and the unresolved questions that motivate the research. The team’s own work that directly informs the proposed project must be highlighted, including relevant publications or collaborative activities. Proposers must also describe how the expertise of the PI and any collaborator is complementary. Proposers with substantial preliminary data should present key findings that directly support the proposed research. Where preliminary data are limited, a feasibility argument must be provided explaining why the proposed approach is scientifically sound and executable within the 18-month project period.

d. General Research Plan 

This section is the technical core of the proposal and must present a well-justified plan for carrying out the proposed work. The Research Approach and Methodology should focus exclusively on what will be done, how it will be done, and how success will be measured. The Research Approach and Methodology must include the following:

• • • • • Research Approach: Describe how the research framework stated in Section b guides the research. Explain the overall design logic of the proposed work and why this approach is most appropriate.
        • Methodology: Describe the specific methods, procedures, and activities that will be used to carry out the proposed work. Methods must be specific, well-justified, and clearly linked to the hypothesis, aims, or objectives stated in Section b. Proposers should explain why the chosen methods are the most appropriate and identify any methodological innovations that distinguish this work from existing approaches.
        • Measures of Success: Define the specific metrics, benchmarks, or decision points by which the success of each aim or objective will be evaluated. Success criteria must be specific, measurable, and directly tied to the hypothesis, aims, or objectives stated in Section b.
        • Role of Collaborator: Describe the specific role of the collaborator in the research and explain why their contribution is integral to the success of the proposed work. The collaborator’s responsibilities must be clearly reflected in the methodology and project timeline.
        • Project Timeline: Map all major activities to quarters and identify the team members responsible for each. The timeline must be realistic and consistent with the 18-month project period. Use the table below or a similar format:

        • Activity (name of responsible party)	Year 1				Year 2
          	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Q1	Q2

e. Broader Impacts

Proposers must clearly identify the scientific and societal benefits anticipated from the research outcomes. Specific milestones must be carefully stated to aid in proposal evaluation.

4. References Cited 

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

5. Plans to Leverage GAIN Funding (1 Page)

The GAIN program is a seed funding program designed to help early-career faculty build the foundation necessary to compete for extramural funding. This section must demonstrate that the PI has a clear and realistic plan for leveraging the outcomes of this award toward a competitive federal funding proposal. Proposers must identify the specific federal agency, program, and funding mechanism being targeted and explain why it is the right fit for the proposed work. Proposers must also describe how the results and data generated through this award will strengthen the competitiveness of the future federal proposal and provide an anticipated submission timeline.

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

Note: If the senior personnel have not received support from SC EPSCoR, this section should include a statement to that effect. The purpose of this section is to assist reviewers in assessing the quality of prior work conducted with prior SC EPSCoR Program funding. If any senior personnel identified on the proposal has received a SC EPSCoR Program award as a PI since January 1, 2024, the following information must be provided:

• • • • • Title of the project, start date, date completed, and award
        • A summary of the results of the work completed.
        • A list of the research proposals, funding awards, and publications resulting from the SC EPSCoR award.

7. Biographical Sketch

A biographical sketch is required for the PI in NSF format. Please note the new NSF Biographical Sketch format effective May 20, 2024. For more information on NSF format, visit https://new.nsf.gov/funding/senior-personneldocuments#biographical-sketch-0bd. Biographical Sketch must be created and certified in SciENcv (Science Experts Network Curriculum Vitae).

8. Budget 

Use the Budget form in Appendix B.

9. Budget Justification (2 Pages) 

The budget justification must be composed of no more than two pages for each institution and must include the following: an explanation of each budget item, such as personnel, other personnel, fringe benefits, materials and supplies, equipment, domestic travel support, publication costs, other direct costs.

10. Current and Pending Support 

All senior personnel must submit Current and Pending Support in NSF format. Current and Pending Support must be created and certified in SciENcv (Science Experts Network Curriculum Vitae). For more information, visit https://new.nsf.gov/funding/senior-personnel-documents#current-and-pending-other-support-5db

11. 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

Budget Information 

• • A maximum of one month of summer salary for the PI is allowed.
  • Salary support is allowed for post-docs, graduate and undergraduate student researchers, and other technical support staff.
  • Indirect costs and tuition are not allowed.
  • Cost-sharing is not required but encouraged.
  • Awardees should ensure that the costs claimed are allowable, allocable, and reasonable.

Proposal Review Process 

Proposals that meet the eligibility requirements and the guidelines of this solicitation will be evaluated by external reviewers (outside South Carolina) based upon the extent to which they meet specific criteria, including but not limited to: 

• Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts
• 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. 
• Alignment with ADAPT in SC research themes. 
• Whether the collaboration is reasonable and builds on the team members complementary expertise to the benefit of all involved including students.
• Qualifications of the PI as it relates to the ability to successfully conduct the proposed activities including the clinical/industry collaborator, and the adequacy of available resources to carry out the proposed activities.
• The likelihood that the research will lead to extramural funding.

Award and Reporting Requirements 

• All GAIN PIs will be considered part of the ADAPT in SC Project and are expected to participate in ADAPT in SC activities which include attending meetings and contributing to the annual report submitted to the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF).
• All publications and presentations resulting from the GAIN CRP must include an acknowledgement of SC EPSCoR Program support and a disclaimer: “Research reported in this [publication, press release, presentation] was supported in part by the U.S. NSF and SC EPSCoR Program under award number (U.S. NSF Award # OIA-2242812 and specific SC EPSCoR grant number). The views, perspective, and content do not necessarily represent the official views of the SC EPSCoR Program nor those of the U.S. NSF.”
• Awardees are expected to provide required information and documentation to the SC EPSCoR Program staff and External Evaluator as needed. SC EPSCoR Program reserves the right to conduct site visits during the project period for evaluation and reporting purposes.
• Assurance of Responsible Conduct of Research (e.g., CITI Certification) are required for student researchers and postdocs to be submitted to SC EPSCoR Program State Office.
• Progress reports are due every six months after the start date of the award. A template will be provided to the PIs.
• A final report will be due 60 days after the end of the award