TOPx HHS Tech Sprint for AI and Invisible Illness

Making Invisible Illness Visible with Data, AI, and American Innovation

Overview

The TOPx HHS Tech Sprint for AI and Invisible Illness is a fast-paced, national prize competition with a $2,000,000 prize pool that puts U.S. Open Data in the hands of the public—mobilizing industry, entrepreneurs, and communities to build real-world tools using AI to address urgent health challenges.

Tens of millions of Americans live with Lyme disease, Long COVID, autoimmune diseases, and other complex chronic conditions—many of which disproportionately affect women, but impact us all. The result: delayed diagnosis, fragmented care, and invisible human and economic costs. These conditions are difficult to measure, poorly understood, and too often dismissed.

This is a national call to action. Join a fast-paced sprint to turn U.S. Open Data into real-world solutions using artificial intelligence (AI) and the TOPx Toolkit.

Compete for $2,000,000 in total prizes—and help deliver solutions that matter.

What You’ll Do

Participants will prototype, test, and demonstrate solutions that improve detection, care, and decision-making—making invisible illness visible with data, AI, and American innovation. Use creativity to turn data into action in months, not years. Use federal open data (datasets publicly available on Data.gov across federal agencies) to build digital tools that deliver real-world impact aligned with federal data modernization and interoperability efforts.

Create a solution in one of three Challenge areas:

Lyme Innovation: No one should suffer years of uncertainty from a preventable tickborne infection—so how might we use U.S. Open Data and AI to detect earlier, diagnose faster, and coordinate care to improve outcomes?
Invisible Illness: What we don’t measure, we don’t treat—and women are disproportionately affected—so how might we use U.S. Open Data and AI to make invisible illness visible and drive faster diagnosis, better care, and real-world impact?
Cost of Illness: Patients and families carry the burden in silence—so how might we use U.S. Open Data and AI to quantify the full impact of invisible illnesses and generate insights that make costs visible, measurable, and impossible to ignore?

This challenge is led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) LymeX Innovation Accelerator, in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Research on Women’s Health (ORWH) and the Federal Chief Data Officers (CDO) Council under the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act (15 U.S.C. § 3719). The Challenge is open to eligible U.S. organizations, U.S. citizens, and permanent residents.

The Challenge advances HHS, LymeX, NIH, and Federal CDO priorities to improve digital-first service delivery, reduce information silos, strengthen interoperability, and improve services using U.S. open data, AI-accelerated science, and emerging technologies. The HHS LymeX Innovation Accelerator supports public-private collaboration and open innovation—including crowdsourcing, citizen science, prize competitions, challenges, and strategic partnerships—to advance Lyme and tickborne disease diagnostics, data-driven clinical trials, and patient-centered innovation. The NIH ORWH’s mission is to lead, develop, and support research programs, initiatives, and policies to improve the health of all women at all stages of the life course and advance the careers of women’s health researchers. The Federal Chief Data Officers (CDO) Council promotes data-driven government, reduces data silos and responsibly unlocks federal data to increase insights, understanding, and evidence-based action. This Challenge advances those missions by applying data-driven, human-centered, AI-accelerated approaches to improve detection, care, and understanding of complex chronic conditions that are often not readily apparent to the eye and may be overlooked, misunderstood, or difficult to measure.

HHS Open Data is a subset of U.S. Open Data, so participants may use HHS datasets discoverable on HealthData.gov or draw from the interagency ecosystem on Data.gov. Participants may build upon the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Interoperability Framework, the U.S. Core Data for Interoperability Plus (USCDI+), Health Level Seven (HL7) Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR®), the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA), and Blue Button 2.0. Such frameworks support secure, standards-based health data exchange, patient access, interoperability, and digital-first service delivery across the U.S. health system.

Expected outcomes

Within six months, this sprint is designed to catalyze 30+ real-world tools, minimum viable products (MVPs), and AI-driven solutions for patients, clinicians, caregivers, and decision-makers.

Together, we aim to demonstrate how open data and AI can make invisible illness visible, measurable, and solvable. Participants retain full ownership of the tools and intellectual property (IP) they create. The federal government provides data, expertise, and a platform to accelerate progress—turning insight into action in months, not years.

Why Participate

Build with real users. Solve real problems. Launch real tools.

Work with federal open data and real-world use cases
Develop and deploy a functional MVP in months—not years
Share ideas and showcase solutions with government, industry, and the public
Retain full ownership of your intellectual property

Invisible Illness Patient Centered Innovation Ecosystem
InvisibleIllness.Crowdicity.com powers the TOPx HHS Tech Sprint by bringing patients, innovators, and the public together to turn U.S. Open Data, AI, and lived experience into real-world solutions for Lyme disease, Long COVID, and other invisible illnesses. As a LymeX pilot site for open innovation and transparency, the platform encourages the public to “Share an Idea”—with or without entering the Challenge.

All are welcome to explore ideas, share feedback, vote on TOPx submissions, and engage through the Invisible Illness Patient-Centered Innovation Ecosystem.

Legal Authority

This Challenge is authorized by the America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science (COMPETES) Reauthorization Act of 2010, as amended (15 U.S.C. § 3719).

Prizes

Total Cash Prize Pool: up to $2,000,000

A total prize pool of up to $2,000,000 will be awarded to eligible participants in accordance with the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act (15 U.S.C. § 3719) and the official Challenge rules. Awards are structured to recognize both breakthrough solutions and high-potential innovation across the three Challenge areas.

1 Grand Prize: $1,000,000
3 First Place Prizes: $200,000 each (one per Challenge area)
3 Second Place Prize: $50,000 each (one per Challenge area)
15 Impact Awards: $15,000 each
5 People’s Choice Prizes: $5,000 each
Additional Recognition: HHS may, at its sole discretion, provide non-monetary recognition (e.g., honorable mentions or similar acknowledgments)

HHS, NIH, the LymeX Innovation Accelerator, and the Federal Chief Data Officers (CDO) Council may, at their sole discretion, provide non-monetary recognition (e.g., certificates, challenge coins, honorable mentions, or similar acknowledgments) during any phase of the Challenge.

Prize Breakdown

Prize funding includes up to $1,925,000 from the HHS General Departmental Management budget for the LymeX Innovation Accelerator, and up to $75,000 from the NIH Office of Research on Women’s Health. Winners may receive one or more payments from HHS and/or NIH that together total the full prize amount.

The Challenge consists of two phases. Team Mobilization (Phase 1) is a non-monetary concept proposal and team selection phase in which participants submit ideas for Evaluation Panel review using the published “Phase 1: Team Mobilization Evaluation Criteria,” followed by a Federal Judging Panel review to determine advancing teams. Selected teams advance to the TOPx Sprint (Phase 2), where participants build and demonstrate functional minimum viable products (MVPs).

All cash prizes are awarded only at the conclusion of Phase 2. Final awards will be based on Evaluation Panel assessments, Federal Judging Panel review, public engagement signals, the published “Phase 2: TOPx Sprint Evaluation Criteria” (see Judging section), and Challenge Rules.

Award Approving Official (s)

The Award Approving Official(s) for prizes awarded by HHS is the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health (PDASH) in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH). For prizes awarded by NIH/ORWH, the Award Approving Official(s) is the NIH Associate Director for Research on Women’s Health.

Use of Prize Funds

We remind participants that under this announcement, HHS and NIH are seeking to award prizes, not grants. The purpose of this Challenge is to reward innovation, not provide financial assistance, and HHS and NIH do not limit how winners may use prize funds awarded to them.

Timeline

Team Mobilization (Phase 1)

Submission Period Opens: 5/29/2026
Submission Period Closes: 06/30/2026 11:59pm ET
Team Winners Selected and Invited to Full TOPx Sprint: July 2026

TOPx Sprint (Phase 2)

TOPx Teams Publicly Announced: July 2026
TOPx Kickoff: July 2026
TOPx Submission Period Opens: 07/15/2026
TOPx Demos and Solutions Showcase at HHS LymeX Event: September 2026
TOPx Sprint: Submission Period Closes: 10/15/2026 11:59pm ET
TOPx Voting: People’s Choice Voting Period: October and November 2026
TOPx Winning Teams Selected and Notified: Late 2026
TOPx Sprint: Winners Publicly Announced: Late 2026

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

Phases

Team Mobilization (Phase 1)

Team Mobilization (Phase 1) is a non-monetary concept proposal and team selection phase. Participants register and submit concept proposals describing proposed solutions, technical approaches, and anticipated impact. A non-federal Evaluation Panel composed of external subject-matter experts across health, technology, artificial intelligence, research, patient advocacy, and innovation will evaluate eligible submissions using the published “Judging Rubric for Phase 1: Team Mobilization Evaluation Criteria.” The Evaluation Panel will provide scores and recommendations to the Federal Judging Panel regarding which teams should advance to the TOPx Sprint (Phase 2).

Based on those evaluations, up to 15 teams and up to 5 alternate teams may advance in each Challenge area, for a maximum of up to 45 advancing teams and up to 15 alternates across the Challenge.

No cash prizes are awarded during Phase 1.

TOPx Sprint (Phase 2)

TOPx Sprint (Phase 2) is the full sprint and prototype development phase for teams advancing from Phase 1. During this phase, teams will build, test, and demonstrate functional MVPs designed to address one of three Challenge areas:

Lyme Innovation
Invisible Illness
Cost of Illness

Eligible final submissions will be evaluated by a non-federal Evaluation Panel composed of entrepreneurs, researchers, frontline clinicians, patients, technologists, and other experts, including individuals with lived experience. Evaluations will be conducted using the published “Judging Rubric for Phase 2: TOPx Sprint Evaluation Criteria.” The Evaluation Panel will provide scores and recommendations to the Federal Judging Panel, which will make final award determinations.

A 30-day public engagement period in late 2026 will invite the public—regardless of participation in the TOPx Sprint to engage on invisibleillness.crowdicity.com (the Challenge site), contribute participant engagement metrics, and vote for the People’s Choice Award during the TOPx Voting Period.

All cash prizes will be awarded at the conclusion of Phase 2.

Judging

Submissions in both phases of the Challenge will be evaluated by a non-federal Evaluation Panel composed of patients and interdisciplinary experts in health, artificial intelligence, data science, technology, research, and patient advocacy, with representation from academia, industry, and government. The Evaluation Panel will independently assess eligible submissions using the published evaluation criteria and provide scores, qualitative assessments, and feedback to the Federal Judging Panel.

The Federal Judging Panel, with representation from HHS, NIH, and the Federal CDO Council, will review Evaluation Panel assessments alongside other relevant Challenge inputs. Public engagement signals will include leaderboard activity on invisibleillness.crowdicity.com, quantifying participant engagement metrics and collaboration activity, as well as the People’s Choice Award voting during the TOPx Voting Period in October and November 2026. Other inputs include advancement of federal priorities and interoperability goals, and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and Challenge Rules.

Based on these factors, the Federal Judging Panel will determine which teams advance from Phase 1 to Phase 2 and recommend final prize selections to the Award Approving Official(s). Final selections are made by HHS and NIH, in their sole discretion, consistent with the published evaluation framework and applicable federal procedures. The Award Approving Official(s) will review and approve final selections in accordance with applicable HHS and NIH requirements.

Across both phases, submissions will be evaluated on a 20-point scale using four equally weighted criteria (up to 5 points each):

Results for the American People: Potential to improve outcomes, address unmet needs, and deliver meaningful public benefit.
Data, Tech & Evidence-Driven Innovation: Impactful use of U.S. Open Data, interoperability standards, AI-accelerated science, and emerging technologies to generate actionable insights from fragmented data sources.
Execution, Efficiency & Delivery: Feasibility of delivering a functional MVP with near-term real-world utility.
Scalability, Reuse & Societal Impact: Potential for adaptation across conditions, populations, agencies, and national-scale health or policy applications, including alignment with federal interoperability standards and frameworks such as CMS interoperability efforts, USCDI+, HL7 FHIR®, TEFCA, and Blue Button 2.0.

Evaluation Step 1: Team Mobilization Submission Review (Phase 1)

Phase 1 is a non-monetary concept proposal and team selection phase. Following the submission deadline, the Evaluation Panel will independently review all eligible submissions to determine which teams advance to the TOPx Sprint (Phase 2). No cash prizes are awarded during Phase 1.

Evaluation Panel scores and feedback will be provided to the Federal Judging Panel.

The Federal Judging Panel will also apply the same published evaluation criteria and scoring rubrics used by the non-federal Evaluation Panel. Based on those scores, assessments, and other relevant Challenge factors, up to 15 teams per Challenge area (up to 45 total) may advance through a competitive down-selection process, meaning only the highest-scoring teams will move forward to the next phase. All evaluation criteria are weighted equally.

Judging Rubric for Phase 1: Team Mobilization Evaluation Criteria

Score	Results for the American People Potential to improve outcomes, address unmet needs, deliver meaningful public benefit	Data, Tech & Evidence-Driven Innovation Impactful use of U.S. Open Data, interoperability standards, AI-accelerated science, and emerging technologies to generate actionable insights from fragmented data sources	Execution, Efficiency & Delivery Feasibility of delivering a functional MVP with near-term real-world utility	Scalability, Reuse & Societal Impact Potential for adaptation, including alignment with federal interoperability standards and frameworks such as CMS interoperability efforts, USCDI+, HL7 FHIR®, TEFCA, and Blue Button 2.0
5	Transformative Potential: Concept shows a deep commitment to incorporating “lived experience;” proposes a vision for transformative solutions to address national patient challenges.	Exceptional Innovation Potential: High potential to responsibly leverage U.S. open data/AI; technical logic shows a clear path to successfully "connecting the dots" between fragmented sources.	High Delivery Potential: Proposes a high-value MVP concept that shows clear potential for realistic deployment without 5–10 years of additional research.	National Impact Potential: Concept logic shows high potential to be adapted to other conditions and applied at a systemic level to drive national policy change.
4	Exceptional Potential: Vision meaningfully addresses specific patient pain points and shows a strong plan to incorporate lived experience in a remarkably beneficial way.	Meaningful Innovation Potential: Technical approach is sound; demonstrates a clear intent to use emerging tech or open data to bridge critical information gaps.	Highly Feasible Potential: Strong potential for MVP readiness; proposed vision provides immediate value and demonstrates high efficiency in delivery.	Broad Reuse Potential: Tool concept is highly adaptable to several other conditions; shows strong potential for reuse across government agencies.
3	Meaningful Potential: Vision adequately addresses patient experience pain points and care coordination challenges.	Competent Innovation Potential: Proposes appropriate use of open data or evidence-driven logic; technical approach is purposive and useful.	Functional Delivery Potential: Reasonable path to deployment; proposes a basic MVP concept that provides some immediate value.	Moderate Scalability Potential: Concept shows potential to be adapted to other chronic conditions or systemic levels with some modification.
2	Limited Potential: Offers narrow proposed solutions to address lived experience, daily functioning, or patient pain points.	Limited Innovation Potential: Proposed use of open data or tech is minimal; evidence-driven logic is fragmented or narrow in scope.	Low Readiness Potential: Requires significant additional research or development before it could be deployed.	Narrow Impact Potential: Scope is limited to one specific condition or area with little potential for government-wide reuse.
1	No Demonstrated Potential: Does not address patient experience or provide potential results for the American people.	Deficient Innovation Potential: Technical approach is unsound; fails to leverage open data or "connect the dots" between sources.	Non-Viable Potential: No functional MVP concept present; solution as described cannot be realistically deployed or executed.	No Scalability Potential: No potential for scalability, reuse, or application to broader systemic policy change.

Evaluation Step 2: TOPx Sprint Submission Review (Phase 2)

Phase 2 is the full TOPx Sprint and final MVP demonstration phase. Following the Phase 2 submission deadline, the non-federal Evaluation Panel will review and score all eligible final submissions using the published evaluation criteria, with greater emphasis on demonstrated performance, execution, and real-world applicability under the “Execution, Efficiency & Delivery” and “Results for the American People” criteria. All cash prizes are awarded only at the conclusion of Phase 2.

Evaluation Panel scores and feedback will be provided to the Federal Judging Panel. The Federal Judging Panel will independently apply the same published evaluation criteria and scoring rubrics and may also consider public engagement signals, participant collaboration activity, People’s Choice Award voting, advancement of federal priorities and interoperability goals, and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and Challenge rules.

Based on this review, the Federal Judging Panel will recommend final prize selections to the Award Approving Official(s), subject to eligibility verification and compliance with all Challenge requirements. HHS and NIH will not apply undisclosed evaluation criteria or re-score submissions outside the published evaluation framework. Only participants who meet all eligibility, registration, and administrative requirements will be eligible to receive a prize.

Judging Rubric for Phase 2: TOPx Sprint Evaluation Criteria

Score	Results for the American People Potential to improve outcomes, address unmet needs, deliver meaningful public benefit.	Data, Tech & Evidence-Driven Innovation Impactful use of U.S. Open Data, interoperability standards, AI-accelerated science, and emerging technologies to generate actionable insights from fragmented data sources.	Execution, Efficiency & Delivery Feasibility of delivering a functional MVP with near-term real-world utility	Scalability, Reuse & Societal Impact Potential for adaptation, including alignment with federal interoperability standards and frameworks such as CMS interoperability efforts, USCDI+, HL7 FHIR®, TEFCA, and Blue Button 2.0
5	Transformative: Deeply incorporates "lived experience"; offers transformative solutions to address national or global patient challenges including diagnosis and care.	Exceptional: Responsibly leverages U.S. open data or AI/ML; technical approach is sound and successfully "connects the dots" between fragmented sources.	Ready for Deployment: Functions as a high-value MVP; can be realistically deployed immediately without requiring 5–10 years of additional research.	National Impact: Logic is easily adapted to other chronic conditions and applied at a systemic level to drive national policy change.
4	Exceptional: Meaningfully addresses specific patient experience pain points and incorporates lived experience in a remarkably beneficial way.	Meaningful: Technical approach is sound; effectively uses emerging technologies or open data to bridge critical information gaps.	Highly Feasible: Strong MVP readiness; provides immediate value and demonstrates high efficiency in delivery.	Broad Potential: Tool is adaptable to several other conditions; demonstrates strong potential for reuse across government agencies.
3	Meaningful: Adequately addresses patient experience pain points and care coordination challenges.	Competent: Uses open data or evidence-driven logic appropriately; technical approach is purposive and useful.	Functional: Reasonable path to deployment; functions as a basic MVP that provides some immediate value.	Moderate: Can be adapted to other chronic conditions or systemic levels with some modification.
2	Limited: Offers narrow solutions to address lived experience, daily functioning, or patient pain points.	Limited: Minimal use of open data or emerging tech; evidence-driven logic is fragmented or has a narrow scope of impact.	Low Readiness: Requires significant additional research or development before it could be realistically deployed or provide efficiency.	Narrow: Scope is limited to one specific condition or area with little potential for government-wide reuse.
1	None: Does not address patient experience or provide results for the American people.	Deficient: Technical approach is unsound; fails to leverage open data, evidence, or "connect the dots" between sources.	Non-Viable: No functional MVP present; solution cannot be realistically deployed or executed.	Static: No potential for scalability, reuse, or application to broader systemic policy change.

People’s Choice Award Selection

Following the TOPx Sprint, HHS will post eligible final submissions for public viewing and voting on the Challenge platform during a designated engagement period. Members of the public may participate through a simple thumbs-up voting feature. Public voting, leaderboard activity, participant engagement, and Evaluation Panel input may inform the Federal Judging Panel’s decisions for all prizes, including recommendation for five People’s Choice Awards. Final winners for the People’s Choice Awards will be made by the Award Approving Official(s), subject to eligibility verification and compliance with all Challenge rules.

How to Enter

To enter this Challenge, participants must complete the following steps:

Create an account on the Challenge platform: https://invisibleillness.crowdicity.com/. Select “Register” to get started.
Complete HHS Registration Form: Complete the required HHS Challenge Participant Registration Form. This form is mandatory to verify eligibility and enable prize payment.
Submit your Team Mobilization Phase entry through the Challenge platform, following on-site instructions on https://invisibleillness.crowdicity.com/.
Team Mobilization submissions must include:
- Team Name & Team Description:
  - Team name: 3–7 words
  - Team description: Describe team skills, expertise, and any relevant lived experience (100 words max)
- Challenge Area Selection:
  - Select one focus area—Lyme Innovation, Invisible Illness, or Cost of Illness.
- Problem Definition: Define a specific user need, pain point, or data gap. Identify who is affected and why it matters (250 words max)
- Proposed Solution (MVP Concept): Describe the tool you will build, how it works, and how you will use data, technology, AI, interoperability standards, and/or evidence-driven approaches to deliver a functional MVP. Explain how the proposed solution demonstrates potential for:
  - Results for the American People
  - Data, Tech & Evidence-Driven Innovation
  - Execution, Efficiency & Delivery
  - Scalability, Reuse & Societal Impact
    (500 words max)
Submit your TOPx Sprint entry through the Challenge platform, following on-site instructions on https://invisibleillness.crowdicity.com/.

TOPx Sprint (Phase 2) submissions must include:
- Solution Overview (MVP Demonstration): Demonstrate the tool you built, including core functionality and intended use. Provide a live demo, prototype, or working product.
  Accepted formats include:
  - User-Facing Application
    (e.g., web app, mobile app, dashboard, interactive interface)
  - Data & AI Solution
    (e.g., model, algorithm, analytics pipeline, scoring engine)
  - Interactive Visualization Tool
    (e.g., dashboards, exploratory data tools, visual analytics platforms)
  - Backend / Integration Tool
    (e.g., API, data pipeline, system integration, interoperability solution)
- Results for the American People: Identify the target user(s) and show how the solution fits a real-world workflow (250 words max).
- Data, Tech & Evidence Driven Approach: Explain how your solution uses open data and/or other data sources, and how technology enables it (300 words max).
- Execution, Efficiency & Delivery: Show the value your solution delivers, e.g., improved insight, decision-making, care coordination, efficiency, or return on investment (250 words max).
- Scalability, Reuse & Societal Impact: Explain how the solution can be deployed, scaled, or adapted, including key assumptions and next steps (250 words max).

Rules

Eligibility Requirements

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

Shall have registered to participate in the Challenge as an individual, 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.
Shall have complied with all the requirements set forth in this announcement.
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, whether participating singly or in a group (team), shall be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States.
Shall not be a Federal entity or Federal employee acting within the scope of their employment.
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.
Who is employed by a Federal agency or entity other than HHS (or any component of HHS), shall consult with an agency Ethics Official to determine whether the Federal ethics rules will limit or prohibit the acceptance of a prize under this Challenge.
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).
Shall be 18 years of age or older at the time of submission.
A Participant (whether an individual, team, or entity) shall not be deemed ineligible because the Participant used Federal facilities or consulted with Federal employees during the Challenge if the facilities and employees are made available to all Participants participating in the Challenge on an equitable basis.

Participation Rules

To participate in the Challenge:

Participants (whether individuals, 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.
Federal contractors may not use Federal funds from a contract to develop Challenge submissions or to fund efforts in support of Challenge submissions. Costs associated with such activities are unallowable and are not allocable to Government contracts.
By participating in this Challenge, each Participant (whether an individual, team, or entity) 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.
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 (whether an individual, team, or entity) 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.
By participating in this Challenge, each Participant (whether an individual, team, or entity) 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.
By participating in this Challenge, each Participant (whether an individual, team, or entity) grants to HHS and its Operating Divisions, including NIH, 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 participate in the Challenge, each Participant must warrant that there are no legal obstacles to providing the above-referenced nonexclusive licenses of the Participant’s rights to the Federal government. 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. By participating, Participant is not granted any licenses to use or rights in any HHS trademarks, including the HHS logo and the NIH logo. Participant may not imply endorsement by HHS, NIH, or the Federal government. Any use of HHS trademarks by the Participant is subject to prior, written authorization by HHS and subject to any requirements of the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs (ASPA).
Each Participant (whether an individual, team, or entity) agrees to follow all applicable Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies.
Each Participant (whether an individual, team, or entity) 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.
As a condition for receiving a cash prize in this Challenge, each Participant (whether an individual, team, or entity) that has been selected as a winner must complete and submit all requested winner verification and payment documents to HHS and/or NIH. 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.
By participating in this Challenge, each Participant (whether a team or entity) agrees that HHS may disqualify its submission if, in HHS’ judgment, the submission is inconsistent with HHS’ public health mission, may be ineffective or harmful, or any other reason deemed necessary.

Prize Payment Rules:

For each eligible Participant under the “Eligibility Rules,” HHS and/or NIH will use that Participant’s registration as an individual, team, or entity on the “HHS Challenge Participant Registration Form” to determine who receives payment of any HHS and/or NIH prize money.
For an eligible winning Participant registered as an individual, HHS and/or NIH will pay the individual.
For a winning Participant registered as a team with an eligible Team Leader, HHS and/or NIH will pay the entire prize for that team to the Team Leader. Division of the prize money is at the discretion of the Team Leader. HHS will not arbitrate, intervene, advise on, or resolve any matters among team members.
For an eligible winning Participant registered as an entity, HHS and/or NIH will pay the entity.
Prizes awarded under this Challenge by the Challenge Vendor (Ensemble) and the Challenge Sponsor (NIH) will be paid by electronic funds transfer and may be subject to Federal income taxes. Ensemble will comply with Internal Revenue Service withholding and reporting requirements, where applicable.
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 can be found at https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration.

Other Rules

HHS and NIH reserve the right, in their 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 and NIH will determine and issue only the highest-ranking or highest-value prize.

Resources

[REQUIRED] The HHS Challenge Participant Registration Form is mandatory for both Phase 1 and Phase 2 submissions.

Data.gov — the home of U.S. Open Data.

For data questions and services, visit: https://data.gov/contact/

HealthData.gov — the home of HHS Open Data — includes challenge resources and starter content:

For HHS, TOP, or TOPx Challenge questions, email: [email protected].

Sponsor Links and Resources:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) - Long COVID
Office of Research on Women’s Health (ORWH), National Institutes of Health (NIH), HHS
LymeX Innovation Accelerator
HHS - Lyme
Federal Chief Data Officers (CDO) Council Data-Driven Government Work Group

Terms of Engagement

LymeX Community Standards: How to Engage

The LymeX and TOPx HHS Tech Sprint for AI and Invisible Illness communities bring 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.

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 with professionalism and courtesy.

INNOVATION: Advancing better solutions
Participants are encouraged to think creatively, challenge assumptions, and explore new approaches. The goal of TOPx 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 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
TOPx 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, applicable laws and policies, and LymeX community standards. 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.

Legal and Participation Terms

To ensure collective upholding of community standards, non-federal, third-party Moderators support Challenge operations. Moderators may remove content that includes unauthorized private information of others. Content moderation is limited to compliance with platform rules, applicable laws and policies, and participant safety protections.

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.

Winners

Winners will be announced following judging of submissions.

Breadcrumb

TOPx HHS Tech Sprint for AI and Invisible Illness

TOPx HHS Tech Sprint for AI and Invisible Illness

Overview

Prizes

Timeline

Phases

Judging

How to Enter

Rules

Participation Rules

Resources

Sponsors

Terms of Engagement

Winners