# NIH Awards Childfree Trust AI Research Grant

The National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), awarded Childfree Trust a **$434,385** SBIR Phase I grant in September 2026 to develop Autonomy-AI, an artificial intelligence-powered decision support tool designed to assist adults without children in long-term care and estate planning. This federally funded research addresses a critical gap in eldercare planning for the growing population of childfree adults by improving decision-making around fiduciary representation and care strategies.

- This award highlights NIH's focus on innovative AI applications in healthcare planning, signaling opportunities for contractors specializing in AI-driven eldercare solutions.
- Procurement professionals should note the emphasis on specialized demographic needs, indicating a trend toward more targeted, population-specific healthcare technologies.
- Companies developing AI tools for healthcare decision support may find increased funding opportunities through NIH SBIR grants focused on aging and long-term care.
- Organizations serving eldercare planning markets should consider partnerships or proposals aligned with NIH priorities in AI and demographic-specific care solutions.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Healthcare, Information Technology
**Topics:** Artificial Intelligence
**Published:** September 24, 2026

### Government Entities
- National Institute on Aging (NIA)
- National Institutes of Health (NIH)

### Vendors
- Childfree Trust (awardee)

### Sources
- [NIH Awards Childfree Trust $434,385 to Research AI Tool for Long-Term Care Planning in Adults Without Children

](https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/09/24/tmt-newswire/globenewswire/nih-awards-childfree-trust-434385-to-research-ai-tool-for-long-term-care-planning-in-adults-without-children/2432337/amp) - The Manila Times