AIMS Awards

Artificial Intelligence Molecular Screen (AIMS) Awards program by Atomwise for academic researchers seeking novel compounds to treat disease.

10 Million

Molecules analyzed for your disease by artifical intelligence.

72

Compounds delivered to your lab, ready for testing

$0

Cost to participate

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What is the AIMS Awards program?

The goal of this program is to broaden the pool of scientists involved in the discovery of small molecules for the treatment and investigation of human diseases. To advance this goal, Atomwise seeks proposals from innovative university scientists to receive 72 potential medicines, generated specifically for their research by artificial intelligence. This Artificial Intelligence Molecular Screen (AIMS) program is designed to dramatically accelerate the race towards life-saving drugs by analyzing millions of compounds for each disease. Contributing AI technology and delivering physical molecules to labs across the world, the program is the first of its kind.

What will awardees receive?

  • Customized small molecule virtual screen using AtomNet™ technology
  • 72 small molecules predicted to bind to a specific target protein – ordered (QC verified by mass spectrophotometry, resuspended and diluted to a convenient concentration, aliquoted into microtiter plates, and delivered at no cost to the researcher)
  • Support from Atomwise’s medicinal chemists and computational biologists
  • Additional small molecules and support if criteria are met.

What types of projects are best for an AIMS Award?

Atomwise will consider any project that could benefit from our expertise and technology. Project topics may be in any area, including those in agriculture, animal health, biotechnology, human biology, medicine, microbiology, plant biology, and virology. Ideally, applicants will have both of the following:

A target protein with:

  • An X-ray crystal structure or good homology model, AND
  • An identified site for the small molecule to bind

An established assay(s) that can:

  • Test at least 72 small molecules, AND
  • Directly measure protein function or activity, AND
  • Measure IC50 or equivalent.

FAQs

Do I need to sign the research agreement before I apply?
Rarely is it necessary for us to negotiate a research agreement. After you are selected for the award, we will reach out to your technology transfer office to work out the agreement.

How long does it take to fill out an application?
Most researchers complete the application in less than an hour.

Can I apply as a graduate student or post-doc?
Yes, provided you have a professor supporting the project.

What if I missed the deadline?
If you are interested in an AIMS Award, please contact us. We might have other opportunities or be able to offer an extension.

Who can apply?
Researchers with the support of a Principal Investigator (PI) from a non-profit university or research institution.

Can I submit more than one application?
Yes.

If I applied previously, can I apply again? If I received an award previously, can I apply again?
Yes, and yes!

Will you share the information in my application with others?
No, we will not share your application with a third party.

Application Process

AIMS is a streamlined program. Short applications are submitted online, and recipients will be announced about three months from the submission deadline. No preliminary data is required!

 

Timeline

  • Deadline for proposals: March 29, 2019
    Please contact us for information on extensions and other accommodations.
  • Announcement of recipients: June 2019

 

Resources & More Information About the Awards

Request for Proposal (RFP) March 2019: PDF
Terms and Conditions: PDF
Research Agreement Template PDF | DOC
Preview of AIMS application PDF | DOC

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About Atomwise

Since 2012, AtomNet has been deployed to help invent new potential medicines for more than 50 disease targets. We work with leading research groups at top organizations including Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Duke University, Scripps Research Institute, and several large pharmaceutical companies, to advance the frontier of human health. 

Left: Ebola virus replicating in a human host cell.