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.
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Key Dates
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