Research Domains & Thematic Areas

The Breakthrough Research Grants Program encourages proposals that leverage innovative approaches and foster cross-disciplinary collaboration to address critical health challenges. While applications across diverse areas of health research will be considered, priority will be given to projects aligned with the following domains:

• AI-enabled diagnostics and medical imaging
  Development and validation of artificial intelligence applications in X-ray, CT, pathology, and other imaging modalities to enhance diagnostic accuracy and efficiency.
• Disease surveillance and outbreak prediction
  Novel tools and methodologies for tracking, predicting, and mitigating infectious disease threats such as tuberculosis, dengue, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
• Health systems optimization
  Research on improving patient triage, care delivery, and resource allocation through data-driven and AI-supported approaches.
• Digital health records and predictive analytics
  Integration and utilization of electronic health records and other digital platforms to improve forecasting, patient care pathways, and population-level health planning.
• Maternal, child, and adolescent health monitoring
  Innovative solutions for early detection, monitoring, and improved outcomes in maternal and child health, with a focus on underserved communities.
• Non-communicable disease (NCD) management and risk analytics
  Research on prevention, management, and risk assessment for conditions such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and mental health.
• AI for health equity, ethics, and underserved populations
  Ensuring responsible and equitable use of AI and digital health technologies to address disparities, strengthen ethical frameworks, and improve health outcomes in marginalized populations.

These domains reflect priority areas where AI, data science, and digital innovation can accelerate discovery and generate scalable impact, while fostering equitable collaborations between Johns Hopkins University and Koita Center for Digital Health (Ashoka University & IIT Bombay).