Empowering the Next Generation of AI/ML Experts Through AIM-AHEAD Training Programs

Monday, September 15, 2025

By: Dr. Susan Gregurick, Associate Director of Data Science, NIH

Welcome to the September 2025 Director’s Corner! As the Associate Director for Data Science and Director of the Office of Data Science Strategy (ODSS) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), I’m continually inspired by the progress we’re making toward a modernized biomedical data ecosystem. This month, I want to focus on opportunities for growth and development in artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML).

Building on my August post, where I highlighted the innovative work of AIM-AHEAD awardees, I’m thrilled to announce a fresh wave of training programs from AIM-AHEAD. These programs are designed to build on that momentum by equipping a new cohort of researchers, clinicians, and professionals with the skills to tackle unmet health needs using AI/ML.

AIM-AHEAD is a key NIH initiative designed to build partnerships that advance AI/ML capabilities through improved infrastructure, workforce training, and expanded research capacity.

Four eight-month training programs developed in partnership with other NIH initiatives are currently open for applications, each tailored to develop proficiency in AI/ML while addressing real-world health challenges. While each program offers distinct areas of focus, all provide a comprehensive AI/ML and data science curriculum at both foundational and advanced levels, hands-on training with NIH data resources, mentorship, professional development activities, and opportunities for independent or collaborative research projects. Postgraduates, graduate students, postdocs, healthcare workers, and early-career researchers are encouraged to apply. You may submit applications to multiple programs, but acceptance is limited to one, based on review and your preferences.

All applications are due by September 26, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. For more details and to apply, visit the program links on the AIM-AHEAD website at https://www.aim-ahead.net/. Please note that current and former AIM-AHEAD participants (including awardees, fellows, trainees, mentors, clinical advisors, experts, and grant-writing coaches) are ineligible for these programs. Please review the call for applications for comprehensive information on eligibility requirements. These training programs are a critical step in developing AI/ML expertise and enabling researchers to contribute to cutting-edge biomedical research. If you’re passionate about using data science to address health challenges, I encourage you to apply today. Questions? Reach out to the AIM-AHEAD Training Program Helpdesk.

Stay tuned for more updates from ODSS, and let’s continue working together to transform data into discovery.