Overview

The LymeX Healthathon (innovation sprint) is a national competition with a $459,000 prize pool to elevate the lived experiences of patients, caregivers, and clinicians and translate them into shared insights that support peer-to-peer learning and help people living with Lyme today.

Lyme disease affects almost half a million Americans every year, yet the voices of those living with it remain fragmented and underheard. As a result, many are left searching for answers, struggling with a potentially debilitating and often invisible illness — unable to find reliable information, connect with others, or identify affordable care that works in real-world settings.

What is the LymeX Healthathon?

A “healthathon” is a time-bound, collaborative event where people from multidisciplinary backgrounds come together to address health challenges by generating ideas, insights, or solutions. The 2026 LymeX Healthathon is a national call to action, sponsored by the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the LymeX Innovation Accelerator.

The LymeX Healthathon complements the TOPx HHS Tech Sprint for AI and Invisible Illness. While the TOPx HHS Tech Sprint mobilizes technologists to build AI-powered tools from open data, the LymeX Healthathon brings together patients, caregivers, and clinicians to contribute what data alone cannot capture — what it is like to live with Lyme, what has helped, and what must change.

Participants share personal stories, contribute treatment experiences to CURE ID, and identify the one priority that, if addressed, would most improve life with Lyme. Together, these contributions will be synthesized to identify shared patterns, themes, and insights that reflect real-world experience and support peer-to-peer learning.

Compete for $459,000 in total prizes and help make sure the right problems get solved.

What You'll Do

Share your experience and help others learn through the power of the crowd. Participants contribute in three ways:

• Stories (main submission): Share a personal narrative — your own or someone else’s — centered on the theme of hope. Stories may reflect the experience of a patient, caregiver, or clinician. Submissions may be reviewed by HHS and featured in federal communications to elevate the Lyme community’s voice. Note: For stories concerning another individual and any associated personal information, entrants must certify they have obtained express written authorization from the subject or their lawful representative.
• Priorities (integrated into the main submission): Each entry identifies one top priority that if addressed, would most improve life with Lyme or a similar tickborne disease. These community-sourced priorities are synthesized into aggregated signals and data insights to surface common themes across the community.
• CURE ID optional submission (via separate CURE ID platform): Participants are encouraged to submit relevant treatment and care experiences on CURE ID, a platform that captures real-world treatment insights for NIH, FDA, HHS, and the public. This submission is separate from the Healthathon entry and required to be eligible for the largest cash prizes. Instructions are provided in the Resources and Rules sections.

Under the America COMPETES Act and HHS Challenge rules, this LymeX Healthathon is open to eligible U.S. organizations, citizens, and permanent residents.

Expected Outcomes

Within six months of launch, the LymeX Healthathon aims to generate a portfolio of 100+ personal stories, a synthesized set of community-identified priorities that reflect shared themes and experiences, and 50+ CURE ID submissions of real-world treatment experiences, helping transform individual anecdotes into community-driven signals that may inform HHS, NIH, FDA, CDC, and other leadership.

HHS will recognize winners. Selected stories may be amplified by HHS, LymeX, and federal partners to elevate awareness and drive action on Lyme disease.

Participants retain full ownership of the stories and intellectual property they create, while enabling broad public impact through Creative Commons sharing of entries submitted to the LymeX Healthathon.

Why Participate

Share what you know. Be heard. Help change the status quo. Co-create solutions.

• Help others learn from your real-world experience with Lyme and tickborne diseases.
• Elevate the reality of life with Lyme to a national audience.
• Share ideas and showcase solutions with federal partners and the broader chronic disease community.
• Contribute treatment insights to the CURE ID federal platform, helping turn shared experiences into crowdsourced data and data-driven signals that may inform future efforts by LymeX, HHS, NIH, and FDA.

Prize Description

Total Cash Prize Pool: Up to $459,000

A total prize pool of up to $459,000 will be awarded to eligible participants in accordance with the America COMPETES Act (15 U.S.C. § 3719) and the official Challenge rules. Awards are structured to recognize high-impact storytelling, community engagement, and the value of crowdsourced insights for collective benefit. from peer-to-peer information exchange, tickborne disease awareness, and sharing novel uses of existing drugs.

• 2 Grand Prize: $100,000 — Highest overall evaluation score
• 2 First Place Prize: $50,000 — Outstanding overall submission
• 2 Second Place Prize: $25,000 — Exceptional overall submission
• 4 Third Place Prizes: $10,000 each — High-scoring overall submissions
• 16 Impact Prizes: $2,500 each — Strong overall evaluation performance
• 29 Storytelling Prizes: $1,000 each — Compelling community-centered submissions
• Additional Recognition: HHS may, at its sole discretion, provide non-monetary recognition (e.g., honorable mentions or similar acknowledgments)

To be eligible for the Grand Prize, First Place Prize, Second Place Prize, Third Place Prize, or Impact Prizes, participants must complete a CURE ID submission in accordance with Challenge requirements. Each participant may receive only one cash prize. HHS reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to not award some or all prizes if submissions do not meet the stated evaluation criteria, performance thresholds, or Challenge.

Award Approving Official

The HHS Award Approving Official(s) for prizes is the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health (PDASH) with the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH).

Use of Prize Funds

We remind participants that, under this announcement, HHS will award prizes, not grants. The purpose of this challenge is to reward participation and impact, not provide financial assistance. HHS does not limit how winners may use prize funds awarded to them.

Timeline

• May 29, 2026: Submission Period Opens
• June 29, 2026 (2:00 PM ET): LymeX Healthathon Kick-Off/“How to” Session (virtual
• event)
• July 20, 2026 (2:00 PM ET): LymeX Healthathon Mid-Submission Check-in with/ Q&A Session. (virtual event)
• August 28, 2026 (11:59 PM ET): Submission Period Closes
• August 31, 2026: Community Engagement and Online Voting Opens
• August 31 – September 23, 2026: Community Engagement and Online Voting Period
• September 23, 2026 (11:59 PM ET): Community Engagement and Online Voting period Closes
• September 24 - October 9, 2026: Evaluation and Judging period
• October 14, 2026: Winners Notified
• October 21, 2026 (2:00 PM ET): Winners announced/LymeX Healthathon Finale (virtual event) to Publicly Announce Winners and Showcase Solution

HHS reserves the right to revise, extend, or otherwise adjust these milestone dates.

Challenge Structure (Single Phase)

The LymeX Healthathon is a single-phase open-innovation challenge for eligible U.S. organizations, citizens, and permanent residents to share lived experiences with Lyme disease, tickborne diseases, and complex chronic diseases. From May through August 2026, participants submit a complete entry that includes a personal story, a priority for action, and (optionally) a CURE ID submission. There is no down-select or multi-phase progression. All entries are evaluated as final submissions when the submission period closes on August 28, 2026 (11:59 PM ET).

After the submission period closes, entries that meet all Challenge eligibility and submission requirements will be available for LymeX Healthathon community engagement and optional online voting. In August and September 2026, participants and the public can explore and elevate stories across the Lyme community. Following this period, as described in the Judging section, an Evaluation Panel will evaluate eligible submissions against the published criteria and recommend potential winners to HHS.

HHS will select winners in its sole discretion based on evaluation criteria, qualitative assessment of submissions, alignment with Challenge objectives, and verification of eligibility and compliance with all Challenge rules. This single-phase structure is designed to encourage broad participation and rapidly translate lived experience into shared insights that can benefit others through the collective wisdom of the crowd and peer-to-peer learning.

Judging

Submissions will be evaluated by an Evaluation Panel composed of patients, caregivers, clinicians, advocates, and subject-matter experts with experience in Lyme, tickborne, and complex chronic diseases. Following the submission deadline, the Evaluation Panel will independently review all eligible submissions. Each submission will be evaluated using the criteria below and scored on a 100-point scale, with five equally weighted criteria (up to 20 points each). The Evaluation Panel will submit its recommendations to HHS for final judging.

Evaluation Criteria

1. Results for the American People (20%)
   The extent to which the submission reflects lived experience and provides meaningful insights that can help others better understand, navigate, or manage Lyme disease and related conditions.
2. Human-Centered Insight and Lived Experience (20%)
   The degree to which the submission authentically captures real-world experience, including challenges, successes, unmet needs, and translates individual stories into insights that resonate with others.
3. Clarity, Quality, and Communication (20%)
   The effectiveness of the submission in clearly communicating its message, including narrative quality, structure, tone, and ability to engage and inform the intended audience.
4. Impact, Relevance, and Shared Learning Potential (20%)
   The potential for the submission to contribute to shared learning across the community by surfacing common themes, patterns, or signals that may benefit patients, caregivers, clinicians, and the broader public.
5. Emotional Response and Community Engagement (20%)
   The extent to which the submission resonates with and engages the community, as reflected in audience response and participation during the community engagement and optional online voting period, including its ability to foster dialogue and shared learning on the LymeX Healthathon platform.

Scoring Scale (100-Point Total)

Each of the five criteria is scored on a 0–20 point scale, for a total possible score of 100 points.

• 16–20 points (Transformative)
  Submission demonstrates exceptional clarity, authenticity, and impact. It provides compelling lived experience and generates insights with strong potential to benefit others and contribute to shared understanding at scale.
• 12–15 points (Exceptional)
  Submission is highly compelling, well-structured, and grounded in meaningful lived experience. It offers clear insights that can inform and support others.
• 8–11 points (Meaningful)
  Submission adequately communicates lived experience and provides useful insights, though depth, clarity, or impact may be moderate.
• 4–7 points (Limited)
  Submission provides some relevant content but lacks clarity, depth, or actionable insight.
• 0–3 points (Minimal)
  Submission does not effectively communicate lived experience or provide meaningful insight.

Reviewers independently evaluate assigned submissions using the five-criterion scoring rubric before convening as an Evaluation Panel. The Evaluation Panel aggregates scores and recommends potential winners in prioritized order, along with alternate selections, to HHS judges. HHS makes final award decisions in its sole discretion, based on evaluation scores, qualitative assessment of impact and authenticity, quantitative assessment of votes and community engagement on the LymeX.crowdicity.com leaderboard, alignment with Challenge objectives, and verification of eligibility and compliance with all Challenge rules.

How to Enter

To enter this Challenge, participants must:

1. Create a LymeX Crowdicity account on the official Challenge platform: https://lymex.crowdicity.com/hubbub/communitypage/23460. Select “Register” to get started.
2. Complete the HHS Challenge Participant Registration Form here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe_2JdSUaRzoZJCgIW8RMC54RKy6kgzhG0OsAKBlJ8E8h_05Q/viewform. This form is mandatory to verify eligibility and enable prize payment.
3. (OPTIONAL) Create an account with CUREID, submit your entry to the CURE ID platform as a Case Report (fill out all fields marked as required, and enter your story in the “Research Priorities” section of the Case Report). After you’ve submitted your entry, create a PDF of your Case Report (by selecting Print and “Save As PDF”). This step is mandatory to be eligible for the Grand Prize, First Place Prize, Second Place Prize, Third Place Prize, or Impact Prizes.
4. Submit your LymeX Healthathon entry through the Challenge platform prior to deadlines, following on-site instructions.
   • If you submitted a CURE ID entry, upload the PDF proof of submission with your CURE ID protocol/contribution in the optional field on the official Challenge platform: https://lymex.crowdicity.com/category/57478. See the Resources section for instructions.

Submissions must include:

• Story Name (7 words max)
• Story Description (280 characters max)
• Story Overview (100 words max)
  • Describe yourself or team members, the connection to tickborne disease, and your relevant lived experience
• Target Audience (1-2 sentences)
  • Identify the specific group of people you most want to influence, educate, or move to action with your story.
• Priority: Identify one specific priority that, if addressed, would most improve life with Lyme disease (100 words max)
• Story Video/Audio (3 minutes max) with Transcript: Outline the story you plan to tell, including the intended audience and how it reflects the theme of hope (200 words max). Acceptable submission formats include:
  • Audio: MP3 or M4A; up to 3 minutes; transcript required
  • Video: MP4, MOV, or AVI; up to 3 minutes; captions required
• Written Story Narrative: A complete, finalized story ready for real-world use. The written narrative must be submitted as a PDF (2 pages max). This written narrative must include an infographic or visual component
  • Permission Statement: Participants agree to make their complete Written Story Narrative available under a Creative Commons license to maximize public health impact and peer-to-peer learning. Note: For stories concerning another individual and any associated personal information, entrants must certify they have obtained express written authorization from the subject or their lawful representative.
• CURE ID Link or Confirmation: Upload a copy, provide a link, or otherwise confirm your CURE ID submission.
• (MANDATORY) HHS Challenge Participant Registration Form. 
• (OPTIONAL) Create an account with CURE ID, submit your entry to the CURE ID platform as a Lyme Disease Case Report (fill out all fields marked as required, and enter your story in the “Research Priorities” section of the Case Report). After you’ve submitted your entry, create a record, image, or PDF of your Case Report (e.g., by selecting Print and “Save As PDF”). This step is mandatory to be eligible for the Grand Prize, First Place Prize, Second Place Prize, Third Place Prize, or Impact Prizes.

Rules

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to win a prize under this Challenge, a Participant (whether a team or entity):

1. Shall have registered to participate in the Challenge as a team or entity under the rules and instructions promulgated by HHS as published in this announcement, including but not limited to, the “Prize Payment Rules” and the “How to Enter” section of this announcement.
2. Shall have complied with all the requirements set forth in this announcement;
3. In the case of a private entity, shall be incorporated in and maintain a primary place of business in the United States, and in the case of an individual registering as part of a group (team), shall be a citizen of the United States or a permanent resident.
4. Shall not be a Federal entity or Federal employee acting within the scope of their employment.
5. Shall not be an employee of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS, or any other component of HHS) acting in their personal capacity.
6. Who is employed by a Federal agency or entity other than HHS (or any component of HHS), shall consult with that agency’s Ethics Official to determine whether the Federal ethics rules will limit or prohibit the acceptance of a prize under this Challenge;
7. Shall not be a judge of the Challenge, or any other party involved with the design, production, execution, or distribution of the Challenge or the immediate family of such a party (i.e., spouse, parent, step-parent, child, or step-child);
8. Shall be 18 years of age or older at the time of submission.

Participation Rules

1. Participants (whether teams or entities) may not use Federal funds from a grant award or cooperative agreement to develop their Challenge submissions or to fund efforts in support of their Challenge submissions.
2. Federal contractors may not use Federal funds from a contract to develop Challenge submissions or to fund efforts in support of Challenge submissions.
3. By participating in this Challenge, each Participant agrees to assume any and all risks and waive claims against the Federal government and its related entities, except in the case of willful misconduct, for any injury, death, damage, or loss of property, revenue, or profits, whether direct, indirect, or consequential, arising from participation in this Challenge, whether the injury, death, damage, or loss arises through negligence or otherwise.
4. Based on the subject matter of the Challenge, the type of work that it will possibly require, as well as an analysis of the likelihood of any claims for death, bodily injury, property damage, or loss potentially resulting from Challenge participation, no Participant participating in the Challenge is required to obtain liability insurance, or demonstrate financial responsibility, or agree to indemnify the Federal government against third party claims for damages arising from or related to Challenge activities in order to participate in this Challenge.
5. A Participant shall not be deemed ineligible for using Federal facilities or consulting with Federal employees during the Challenge if the facilities and employees are made available to all Participants on an equitable basis.
6. By participating in this Challenge, each Participant warrants that they are the sole author or owner of, or has the right to use, any copyrightable works that the submission comprises, that the works are wholly original with the Participant (or is an improved version of an existing work that the Participant has sufficient rights to use and improve), and that the submission does not infringe any copyright or any other rights of any third party of which the Participant is aware.
7. By participating in this Challenge, each Participant grants to HHS an irrevocable, paid-up, royalty-free nonexclusive worldwide license to reproduce, publish, post, link to, share, and display publicly the submission on the web or elsewhere, and a nonexclusive, nontransferable, irrevocable, paid-up license to practice, or have practiced for or on its behalf, the solution throughout the world. Each Participant will retain all other intellectual property rights in their submissions, as applicable. To receive an award, Participants will not be required to transfer their intellectual property rights to HHS, but Participants must grant to the Federal government the nonexclusive licenses recited herein.
8. Each Participant agrees to follow all applicable Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies.
9.  Each Participant participating in this Challenge must comply with all rules and requirements included in this announcement, and participation in this Challenge constitutes each Participant’s full and unconditional agreement to abide by the rules and requirements. Winning is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements herein.
10. As a condition for receiving a cash prize in this Challenge, each Participant selected as a winner must complete and submit all requested winner verification and payment documents to HHS. Failure to return all required verification and payment documents by the date specified in the formal winner notification may be a basis for disqualification of a cash prize-winning submission.

Prize Payment Rules

1. For each eligible Participant, HHS will use that Participant’s registration as a team or entity on the HHS Challenge Participant Registration Form to determine who receives payment of any HHS prize money.
2. For an eligible winning Participant registered as an individual, HHS will pay the individual.
3. For a winning Participant registered as a team with an eligible Team Leader, HHS will pay the entire prize to the Team Leader. Division of the prize money is at the discretion of the Team Leader.
4. For an eligible winning Participant registered as an entity, HHS will pay the entity.
5. Prizes awarded under this Challenge by the HHS Challenge Vendor, Coforma, will be paid by electronic funds transfer and may be subject to Federal income taxes. Coforma will comply with the Internal Revenue Service withholding and reporting requirements, where applicable.
6. Entities participating in this Challenge are encouraged, but not required, to request and obtain a free Unique Entity ID (UEI), if they have not already done so, via SAM.gov as this may expedite prize payment. Additional information is available at https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration.

Other Rules

HHS reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to (a) cancel, suspend, or modify the Challenge, or any part of it, for any reason, and/or (b) not award any prizes if no submissions are deemed worthy.

An individual or entity may not receive more than one prize. If a submission qualifies for multiple awards, HHS will determine and issue only the highest-ranking or highest-value prizes.

Resources

Getting Started: Healthathon Links

• [REQUIRED] The HHS Challenge Participant Registration Form is mandatory for LymeX Healthathon submissions.
• Healthathon page for submissions to win prizes — LymeX.crowdicity.com
• [OPTIONAL] CURE ID infection-associated chronic condition form includes Lyme Disease — Share your real-world treatment experiences to be eligible for all prizes.

LymeX Resources and HHS Sites

• CDC site on Lyme disease — https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/
• CURE ID infection-associated chronic condition form including Lyme Disease — (Optional) share real-world treatment experiences.
• HHS site on Lyme disease — Department-wide Lyme disease information: https://www.hhs.gov/lyme/
• LymeX Innovation Accelerator — Public-private partnership: https://lyme-x.org/
• LymeX Pilot for IACCIs — InvisibleIllness.Crowdicity.com including Living Clinical
  Guidelines for Infection-Associated Chronic Conditions and Illnesses (IACCIs)
• NIH NIAID Lyme disease — Research and clinical information: https://www.niaid.nih.gov/diseases-conditions/lyme-disease/

Reports & Research

• CDC on IACCIs in Emerging Infectious Diseases (2025)—Progress Toward Understanding Infection-Associated Chronic Conditions and Illnesses
• Health+ Lyme Human-Centered Design Report — Patient-centered insights: https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/healthplus-lyme-disease-hcd-report.pdf

Sponsors

This challenge is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the LymeX Innovation Accelerator.

Lead agency name
HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH) in collaboration with CDC, FDA, NIH, and LymeX affiliates.

Non-Federal partners
LymeX Innovation Accelerator, Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation

Challenge manager
Kristen Honey

Point of contact email
[email protected]

Terms of Engagement

LymeX Community Standards: Terms of Engagement

The LymeX community brings together patients, caregivers, clinicians, researchers, technologists, entrepreneurs, innovators, and problem-solvers to turn data into real-world solutions that improve the health and lives of the American people. The views expressed by participants do not necessarily reflect those of HHS, NIH, or the federal government. Participants are expected to engage with respect, professionalism, openness, and a shared commitment to constructive collaboration guided by the following principles.

Comment Policy and How to Engage

RESPECT: Everyone is valued
We foster an environment that values lived experiences, disciplines, and perspectives. Constructive dialogue and differing viewpoints are encouraged, provided they are expressed professionally and courteously.

INNOVATION: Advancing better solutions
Participants are encouraged to think creatively, challenge assumptions, and explore new approaches. The goal of the sprint is to accelerate meaningful, real-world solutions using open data, evidence, and collaboration.

INTEGRITY: Grounded in truth and evidence
We expect participants to engage honestly and responsibly, using data and evidence to inform ideas and discussions. Misrepresentation of data, manipulation of facts, or misleading claims are not permitted.

EXCELLENCE: Data-driven and user-centered
Solutions should prioritize rigor, usability, and real-world impact. We value approaches that incorporate lived experience, clinical insight, and high-quality data to drive meaningful outcomes.

COMPASSION: Centering the patient experience
This work is grounded in the goal of improving lives. Participants should approach all interactions with empathy, recognizing the real-world impact of invisible illness on patients, families, and communities.

COLLABORATION: Co-creating in the open
LymeX is built on open innovation. Participants are encouraged to collaborate across disciplines, share insights, and build on one another’s ideas to maximize public health impact.

ACCOUNTABILITY: Responsible participation
Participants are responsible for their contributions and must comply with all platform rules, challenge requirements, and applicable laws and policies. Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and personal health information shared in compliance with applicable laws and policies is permitted. Any PII or personal health records shared in violation of applicable laws, policies, or platform rules may result in content removal and immediate account termination. 

Participants are encouraged to share lived experiences.

Self-disclosed health narratives shared as part of an official entry are permitted. However, participants must not include third-party personally identifiable information (PII) or protected health information (PHI) without expressed written authorization. Moderators may remove content that includes unauthorized private information of others.

To ensure collective upholding of community standards, non-federal, third-party Moderators support Challenge operations. Content moderation is limited to compliance with platform rules, applicable laws and policies, and participant safety protections.

Legal and Participation Terms

Participation in this Challenge does not create a clinician-patient relationship, and content shared on the platform does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, guidance, or instruction regarding any disease or health condition. Participants should consult qualified healthcare professionals regarding personal medical decisions or health conditions.

The views expressed by participants do not necessarily reflect those of the HHS, NIH, LymeX, the Federal CDO Council, or the federal government.

Intellectual Property (IP)

Participants retain ownership of all intellectual property in their submissions. By participating, each Participant represents and warrants that their submission includes only materials they own or have the legal right to use and does not infringe any third-party rights. By submitting, participants agree to make their submissions available under a Creative Commons license, as specified in the Challenge rules, and grant HHS a non-exclusive, irrevocable, royalty-free, worldwide license to use, reproduce, publish, display, share, and practice the submissions on its behalf.

1. What May Be Made Public
   • Finalized Story Artifacts: Participants agree to make their complete Written Story Narrative available under a Creative Commons license to maximize public health impact and peer-to-peer learning.
   • Community Engagement: During the online voting period, submissions will be available for public exploration on the LymeX Healthathon platform.
2. What HHS May Amplify
   • Selected Stories: HHS and federal partners (such as the CDC) may amplify selected stories in federal communications to elevate awareness and drive action on Lyme disease
   • Synthesized Insights: Community-sourced priorities and themes will be aggregated into signals and data insights for HHS leadership consideration.
3. What Stays on the Vendor Platform
   • Administrative Records: Mandatory HHS Challenge Participant Registration Forms used for eligibility verification and prize payment are restricted to official use for administrative purposes
   • Unauthorized PII: Any personally identifiable information (PII) beyond the participant’s name and email, or any personal health records, will be removed by moderators and will not be shared publicly or amplified without written authorization.

Submissions must be original, lawful, and free of malicious code or security risks. Participants must comply with all eligibility, participation, and prize requirements outlined in the official Challenge rules.

Challenge Announcement

This challenge is conducted under the America COMPETES Act and is designed to accelerate real-world, data-driven solutions — not to provide grants or financial assistance.

Winners

Winners will be announced following judging of submissions.