AWS Health Equity Initiative
Over the next three years, AWS is committing $40M to harness the power of the cloud to advance health equity globally. Amazon Web Services (AWS) is offering AWS Promotional Credit and technical expertise to selected institutions and companies addressing health disparities that impact underserved or underrepresented communities around the world.
The AWS Health Equity Initiative will support applications that develop culturally responsive solutions to: 1) increase access to health services, 2) reduce disparities by addressing social determinants of health, 3) leverage data to promote equitable and inclusive systems of care, and 4) advance equity in diagnostics and screening.
We have the opportunity to harness the power of health-related data in the cloud to address longstanding social and structural disparities that were amplified by the differential impact of COVID-19 on underserved populations. Cloud innovation can help achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for ensuring healthy lives and promoting wellbeing by supporting more equitable, sustainable, and inclusive recovery efforts.
Addressing health inequities requires a multi-faceted approach and a variety of solutions due to its complexities. Though technology is not a silver bullet, it can be a force multiplier for organizations building innovative cloud-based solutions to remove barriers and reduce disparities in health. Examples of cloud interventions for underserved populations can include conversational artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance community engagement, enable access to integrated health and social services, and target disparities in health outcomes. Underserved or underrepresented communities can include but are not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, disability, neurodiversity, geography, sexual orientation and gender identity.
We invite applications by organizations who are leveraging the cloud to reduce inequities in care and enhance health outcomes in any of the following four areas:
Increase access to health services
Access to health services is essential to improving health outcomes. Digital health has the potential to be a valuable—if not critical—tool to increase access to health. Technology has the potential to let patients consult with health services practically anywhere in the world, help overcome distance barriers, and facilitate critical care in emergency situations.
Eligible projects can include synchronous (i.e., real-time telephone or audio-video interaction) or asynchronous (i.e., patient portals) digital health solutions, remote patient monitoring, Internet of Things (IoT), language translation apps in healthcare settings, or digital tools to increase the availability and impact of health workers.
Reduce disparities by addressing social determinants of health
Reducing health disparities also requires addressing its underlying root causes. Research shows that non-medical drivers of health, otherwise known as social determinants of health (SDoH), are key to reducing inequities and improving health. Where people are born, grow, work, live, and age influence SDoH, which can be more important than healthcare or lifestyle choices in influencing health.
Eligible projects can include leveraging technology to improve access to social services, nutrition, transportation, housing, or economic opportunities to improve health outcomes. We will also support research to deepen our understanding of and inform strategies to address SDoH.
Leverage data to promote equitable and inclusive systems of care
Another contributor to health disparities are gaps in health data. A global assessment showed that only 51 percent of countries include disaggregated data in their published national health statistics reports. This means the health status of diverse groups are not represented in national averages and, as a result, are invisible when decisions are made based on this data. This can lead to health systems focusing support on certain demographics and not others.
Eligible projects can include creating or consolidating datasets to increase representation in health systems; linking to social determinants of health data to create more robust and informative datasets; or cleaning existing datasets to improve accuracy about race, ethnicity, gender, disability, or other data points that will help to advance health equity for all.
Advance equity in diagnostics and screening
Access to diagnostics is an essential element of healthcare, however, much of the world has limited to no access to diagnostics. The diagnosis of easily diagnosable tracer conditions (such as diabetes and tuberculosis) however, is often difficult to access for people of low socio-economic status, youth, traditionally underserved or underrepresented populations, and those with low levels of education. Delayed diagnosis and treatment can have a profound impact on the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities. In tandem with health system strengthening and other coordinated public health efforts, diagnostic technology has the power to improve global health outcomes by democratizing access to health and healthcare, and advancing health equity.
Eligible projects will increase access to high-quality diagnostic services, address bias in the diagnostic development process, and make diagnostic research more equitable. A particular emphasis will be placed on increasing access to accurate, affordable and high-quality diagnostics addressing both communicable and non-communicable diseases impacting populations within low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), and those among low-income populations in high-income countries.
Application Deadlines
Applications are reviewed three times a year:
2021 Cycle Dates
November 15, 2021
2022 Cycle Dates
March 31, 2022
June 30, 2022
November 15, 2022
2023 Cycle Dates
March 31, 2023
June 30, 2023
November 15, 2023
2024 Cycle Dates
March 31, 2024
June 30, 2024
November 15, 2024
Program Support
AWS Promotional Credit: Selected program recipients are eligible to receive AWS Promotional Credit to help cover the AWS service usage related to your project. Once accepted into the program, credit codes will be issued via an award letter with instructions to manually redeem awarded AWS Promotional Credit into your approved AWS account. AWS Promotional Credit helps customers reduce or eliminate the cost to use AWS services. AWS Promotional Credit is subject to the AWS Promotional Credit Terms and Conditions.
Over the next three years, AWS is committing $40M to harness the power of the cloud to advance health equity globally. Amazon Web Services (AWS) is offering AWS Promotional Credit to selected institutions and companies addressing health disparities that impact underserved or underrepresented communities around the world.
Funding request: The maximum request per application should not exceed $250,000 in AWS Promotional Credit. We will consider applications that exceed this on a case-by-case basis, and such applications must be accompanied by a justification for the additional request.
Matching requirement: Applications from private sector institutions require a minimum 25 percent match of resources towards the total request. For example, if an applicant requests $100,000 in AWS Promotional Credit, the private sector applicant needs to provide at least $25,000 (25 percent) of their total request. Match resources can include cash or in-kind resources (i.e., personnel time, etc.). We will consider exceptions on a case-by-case basis, and applications seeking such an exception must be accompanied by a justification for an exemption from this requirement.
This program is led by the AWS Global Social Impact team, which is dedicated to working with customers and community partners to find solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges and build long-term, innovative programs that have a lasting, positive impact.
In the News
Frequently Asked Questions
General information for applicants
Q: What types of projects will AWS fund?
AWS will support organizations who are building culturally responsive, cloud-based solutions that advance health equity and improve health outcomes among underserved or underrepresented communities around the world. These include solutions that meaningfully engage underserved and underrepresented populations and to increase access to health and social services, reduce the impact of social determinants of health, and leverage data to promote equitable and inclusive systems of care.
Q: Which populations are considered vulnerable, underserved and underrepresented?
Populations experiencing chronic barriers to accessing quality health services and poor health outcomes include, but are not limited to populations in low-resource settings; those who are less educated; women; children; individuals living with disabilities; racial, ethnic, sexual and religious minorities; migrants; refugees; and individuals experiencing homelessness.
Q: What are culturally responsive solutions?
Solutions that provide effective, equitable, understandable, accessible, and respectful high-quality care and services that are responsive to diverse cultural health beliefs and practices, preferred languages, health literacy and other communication needs.
Q: What kind of support is available via this program?
AWS is committing up to $40 million over three years. This support is a combination of AWS Promotional Credit and AWS technical expertise to assist applicants in harnessing the full potential of the cloud to tackle this challenge.
Q: Is cash support available through this program?
No, cash support is not part of this program.
Q: Who can apply?
The program is open to accredited research institutions, research consortia, nonprofits, and private entities that are current or future AWS customers. Individuals who submit an application must apply on behalf of their organization and not in their personal capacity. AWS Partner Network (APN) members are also eligible to apply.
Q: Are government entities allowed to participate in this program?
We welcome applications from government entities and, if selected, will require confirmation from them that their participation is not prohibited or restricted by applicable laws, regulations or binding orders, including applicable ethics or procurement rules.
Q: Do I currently have to be an AWS customer to apply?
No, not at the time of application submission. Applicants will need to create an AWS account if you are accepted into the program because the program benefits include AWS Promotional Credit and AWS technical expertise.
Q: Is this a global program?
Yes, we encourage applications from researchers and organizations around the world.
Q: Can I request AWS Promotional Credit for a pending or upcoming request for proposal (RFP)?
No, projects cannot be related to any pending or upcoming RFPs.
Application preparation and review
Q: What factors will AWS consider in determining who receives support?
We will approve applications based on factors such as: alignment with one of the four program areas; how clearly the application articulates how the project is advancing health equity for underserved or underrepresented communities; the extent you are engaging with these communities; the stage/maturity of your proposed project; plan for sustaining funding and support for your project after the 12-month award period ends; potential to disseminate the results and data through sharing a pipeline or software; applicability of AWS services within the project scope; 2-3 succinctly defined milestones; and project duration/timeline (maximum of 12 months). Successful applications will also include baseline data, measurement metrics, and clear impact outcomes in one or more of the following areas: 1) how many underserved or underrepresented individuals with improved access to health services; 2) degree or percentage to which a social determinant of health is reduced; or 3) type or amount of data to be leveraged to promote equitable and inclusive systems of care.
Any AWS Promotional Credit or technical expertise are awarded at AWS's sole discretion. Please note that the intent of this program is to support applications deployed on AWS that address the three program categories. This program does not support administrative workloads to run routine IT operations on AWS.
Q: What type of support is provided by AWS technical experts?
AWS Professional Services (ProServe) is a global team of experts that can supplement your team with specialized skills and experience to help you achieve the results of your project on AWS. ProServe provides assistance through a collection of offerings that help you achieve specific outcomes related to enterprise cloud adoption. They deliver focused guidance through global specialty practices, which cover a variety of solutions, technologies, and industries. Specialty practices deliver targeted guidance through best practices, frameworks, tools, and services across solution, technology, and industry subject areas. Their deep expertise will help you take advantage of the benefits available with the AWS Cloud. All ProServe will be offered on a limited bases, and engagements will be subject to further approvals and negotiation of a statement of work.
Q: What services are eligible for AWS Promotional Credit?
Eligible AWS service categories include AWS compute, storage, database, machine learning (ML), artificial intelligence (AI), analytics, containers, robotics, quantum services, and more. You can explore AWS services and products at https://aws.amazon.com/. There are some services that are not eligible, see AWS Promotional Credit Terms and Conditions for more details.
Q: Is an institution-provided or organization-provided email address required?
Applicants are required to provide their official institution-issued email address or official company-provided email address to expedite the verification and decision process.
Q: What are the Terms and Conditions for accepting and using AWS Promotional Credit?
Please refer to the AWS Promotional Credit Terms and Conditions for details.
Q: What are the timelines for proposal submissions and decisions?
Proposal are reviewed three times a year: March 31, June 30, and November 15. Submit your application on or before each date to be considered for that review cycle. We will communicate decisions via email to individual applicants within approximately 60 business days after each application review date. For example, if you apply on or before November 15, we will send application status notifications approximately 60 business days after November 15. Note that decisions are sent from aws-hei@amazon.com and are sometimes routed to spam. Please enable your spam filter to allow incoming emails from this address.
Q: How does the notification process work?
Applicants will receive an acknowledgement email within 48 hours confirming receipt. Applications are reviewed three times a year: March 31, June 30, November 15. We will send a notification of your application status approximately 60 business days after each application review date. For example, if you apply on or before November 15, we will send application status notifications approximately 60 business days after November 15. In the event 60 business days have passed without a notification, please contact us at aws-hei@amazon.com, and we will provide an interim status update as soon as possible.
Q: Will you provide a reason if my request is not approved?
Unfortunately, due to the number of applications, we are unable to provide detailed reasons on an individual basis.
Q: May I apply again if AWS does not approve my project?
Yes. You may reapply, but please make sure that new applications contain revised or additional information and are not simply a re-submission of the original proposal.
Q: If I’m selected as a program recipient, what are the next steps?
If your application is approved, before you can receive any AWS Promotional Credit and/or technical expertise, you will be required to sign a Credit Agreement. If you choose to engage an Amazon Partner Network Member or 3rd Party, they will also be required to sign a Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement outlines the proposed project description and milestones, AWS Promotional Credit award amount, reporting schedule, your obligations related to participation in this program, and a publicity release allowing AWS to use your name and logo to identify you as a program participant. You will also be required to provide us with a valid AWS account ID. This account must be linked to an institution or company email address and account sharing must be disabled. AWS’s provision of any AWS Promotional Credit and/or technical expertise is at AWS's sole discretion.
Q: Why did I receive a lower amount of AWS Promotional Credit or a different level of technical expertise than I requested?
We may choose to award less AWS Promotional Credit or adjusted/no technical expertise levels for a number of reasons, including encouraging a different cost model leveraging Spot Instances or providing support for a smaller, initial proof of concept portion of a new project.
Acknowledging AWS
Q: How do I acknowledge AWS support for my research project work (e.g., in publications or website)?
Please acknowledge AWS in any publications or websites. Please review the AWS Trademark Guidelines and AWS Co-Marketing Tools pages for guidance.
AWS Promotional Credit and billing
Q: Is the program a pricing discount on AWS service costs?
No. All AWS pricing is public, and applies to all customer segments. For more details on our services pricing and our pricing philosophy, please refer to the AWS pricing page.
Q: How long is AWS Promotional Credit valid?
We will issue AWS Credit with an expiration date of 12 months from when it is redeemed into the AWS account. Requests for expiration dates beyond this period will be considered on a case-by-case basis. AWS Promotional Credit is provided to applicants under the AWS Promotional Credit Terms and Conditions.
Q: What happens when my AWS Promotional Credit expires?
We will charge any subsequent AWS services usage on the account after AWS Promotional Credit expires or you fully use the amount, to the billing method provided on the AWS account.
Q: Do AWS Promotional Credit recipients have to use an AWS account and credit card?
Yes. For new AWS customers, you will need to provide a valid credit card to activate an AWS account and redeem any AWS Promotional Credit. Subject to the AWS Promotional Credit Terms and Conditions, your credit card will not be charged fees for eligible services until you incur fees for eligible services that exceed available AWS Promotional Credit. Please be aware that some services are not eligible for AWS Promotional Credit, and you will be billed for any use of these services.