HHS Launches EHIgnite Contest for Patient Data Tools
Published Date: 5/20/2026
Notice
Summary
The EHIgnite Challenge invites health tech developers to create cool tools that make single patient electronic health info easier to read and use. It’s a two-phase contest starting February 2026, with cash prizes for winners announced in June 2026 and May 2027. If you build health IT software, this is your chance to shine and help patients and doctors make smarter decisions!
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 4 costs, 1 mixed.
Federal Cash Prize Pool $490,000
If you build health IT tools and enter the EHIgnite Challenge, HHS may award up to $490,000 in cash prizes. Phase 1 may award up to nine submissions up to $10,000 each; Phase 2 prizes include $250,000 (first), $100,000 (second), $30,000 (third), and $20,000 for Most Innovative Use of AI.
No Federal Funds Allowed for Submissions
Participants may not use Federal funds from a grant award, cooperative agreement, or contract to develop their Challenge submissions or support those efforts. Federal contractors also may not use Federal contract funds for Challenge submissions; such costs are unallowable and not allocable to Government contracts.
HHS License on Submitted Work
By participating, you grant HHS an irrevocable, paid-up, royalty-free nonexclusive worldwide license to reproduce, publish, post, link to, share, and display your submission publicly, and a nonexclusive, nontransferable, irrevocable, paid-up license to practice the solution for or on HHS' behalf. Participants retain any other intellectual property rights not licensed to HHS.
Who Can Enter: U.S. and Age Rules
To be eligible, private entities must be incorporated in and maintain a primary place of business in the United States, and individuals must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. Participants must be 18 years of age or older; Federal entities and HHS employees acting in scope of employment are not eligible.
Registration & Prize Payment Rules
You must register on the challenge website to be eligible to win and choose to register as an individual, team, or entity; HHS will pay prize money to the registered recipient. If a team wins, HHS pays the Team Leader, who decides on prize division; entities are encouraged to obtain a UEI to expedite payment.
AI Use Allowed but Must Be Compliant
Use of artificial intelligence (AI) in submissions is encouraged, but any AI must be transparent, explainable, and comply with applicable civil rights, privacy, and security laws and policies such as HIPAA. In Phase 1 AI use is optional (up to 20 bonus points) and Phase 2 includes an award for Most Innovative Use of AI.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-16414, Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System
This document withdraws a proposed rule that was published in the Federal Register on January 11, 2008. The proposed rule would have amended the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) regulations at 45 CFR 1355.40 and the appendices to Part 1355 to modify the requirements for States to collect and report data to ACF on children in out-of-home care and in subsidized adoption or guardianship arrangements with the State. This document also withdraws the provision of the 2008 proposed rule that implemented the AFCARS penalty requirements of the Adoption Promotion Act of 2003 (Pub. L. 108-145).
2026-16296, Substances Generally Recognized as Safe
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or we) is proposing to require the submission of generally recognized as safe (GRAS) notices for the use of a human or animal food substance purported to be GRAS under the conditions of its intended use under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act).
2026-14709, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2027; and Basic Health Program; Correction
This correction fixes some typos and technical mistakes in the 2027 health insurance rules under the Affordable Care Act. It mainly affects people and organizations involved in health coverage plans by clarifying when the rules take effect and restoring some important regulation details. These fixes take effect on July 20, 2026, ensuring smoother and clearer health plan operations next year.
2026-14073, Drug Establishment Registration and Drug Listing Requirements for Establishments Engaged in Distributed Manufacturing and Certain Foreign Establishments
The FDA wants to make it easier for drug makers who work in several locations to register as one company instead of many. They’re also updating rules for foreign drug companies to match new laws about handling health threats. If you’re in drug manufacturing, get ready to comment by September 11, 2026, and keep an eye on possible paperwork changes that could affect your business.
2026-13047, Establishment Registration and Product Listing for Tobacco Products
The FDA wants to make sure all tobacco product makers, both in the U.S. and abroad, register their businesses and list their products. This new rule closes a big gap by including foreign companies, helping the FDA keep better track of tobacco products for public health. Comments on this proposal are open until September 14, 2026, so affected businesses should get ready to update their info and possibly face new costs.
2026-12069, Medicare Program; Strengthening Oversight of Accrediting Organizations (AOs) and Preventing AO Conflicts of Interest, and Related Provisions
This new rule makes sure the groups that check Medicare providers play fair and follow clear rules to avoid conflicts of interest. It updates how psychiatric hospitals are reviewed and tightens rules for providers who lost their Medicare status but want back in. These changes affect Medicare providers and accrediting groups, start June 16, 2027, and aim to keep care safe and trustworthy.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-10067, Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection Renewal; Comment Request
The FDIC wants to renew its paperwork rules for banks and savings associations for one more year while updating them soon. If you’re part of these banks, you might see some changes that could affect how much time you spend on reports. Everyone has until July 20, 2026, to share their thoughts—so don’t miss your chance to speak up!
Next: 2026-10069, Combined Notice of Filings #1
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission got several filings from energy companies about changes in their status and new construction agreements. These updates mostly affect power generators and transmission companies, with some new agreements set to start by mid-July 2026. If you want to comment, deadlines range from May 19 to June 5, so don’t miss your chance to speak up!