NIH Challenges AI policy
Varies by programChecked November 9, 2026
In short
NIH has no single AI rule for its prize challenges. Each challenge's own rules decide. Recent NIH challenges that address AI mostly allow generative AI if you disclose the tool and how you used it, but at least one (the Complement-ARIE Reduction to Practice Challenge) says generative AI should not be used to write a submission. Check the rules of the specific challenge before you enter.
For applicants
- NCI Office of Data Sharing Impact Prize (2026): generative AI is allowed, but you must disclose in your narrative any generative AI tools used to prepare the submission, naming the tool and its role (for example ideation, drafting, editing, or translation).[1]
- NCI Office of Data Sharing Impact Prize (2026): using generative AI directly with NIH research data must comply with all applicable policies, including Data Use Certification Agreements and Data Use Limitations.[1]
- NIH Common Fund Replication Prize (closed December 2025): generative AI was allowed, but participants had to cite the tool and say how it was used in the submission (for example ideation or writing).[2]
- NIH Complement-ARIE Reduction to Practice Challenge: generative AI should not be used to develop the writing, imagery, or data of a submission, except as part of the proposed NAM platform itself.[3]
- NIH Office of Disease Prevention Beauty + Health Youth Graphic Medicine Challenge (closed April 2026): there was no rule against AI, but organizers strongly recommended against generating an entry entirely with AI.[4]
Sources
- [1]NCI Office of Data Sharing Impact Prize (Wayback Machine capture of nih.gov challenge page, 2026-09-13)
National Cancer Institute (NIH), August 3, 2026
“The use of generative AI is permissible. However, participants must disclose in their narrative any use of generative AI tools in the preparation of the submission, including the specific tool used and the role it played (for example, ideation, drafting, editing, translation).”
“The use of generative AI directly with NIH research data must comply with all applicable policies, including Data Use Certification Agreements and Data Use Limitations.”
- [2]Replication Prize (Wayback Machine capture of nih.gov challenge page, 2026-10-28)
NIH Common Fund
“The use of generative AI is permissible; however, participants must cite the tool and identify how it has been used in this submission (e.g., ideation, writing).”
- [3]NIH Complement-ARIE Reduction to Practice (RTP) Challenge (Wayback Machine capture of nih.gov challenge page, 2026-08-01)
NIH Common Fund
“Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) should not be used to develop the writing, imagery, or data of a submission outside of dedicated performance within the proposed NAM platform”
- [4]Beauty + Health: Youth Graphic Medicine Challenge (Wayback Machine capture of nih.gov challenge page, 2026-07-30)
NIH Office of Disease Prevention, September 2, 2025
“Yes, there is no rule against using AI, but we strongly recommend that you don’t generate your comic completely using AI.”
This page summarizes published guidance and is not legal advice. Policies change, and a specific solicitation can add its own rules, so confirm against the funding announcement before you apply. See every funder's AI policy.