# Grant Funders Consider AI Screening

A Funding Forward analysis reports that grant application volumes have risen by an average of 57% since 2022, while National Institutes of Health (NIH) early-career applications increased 11% in 2025. In response to higher volumes, funders are imposing restrictions or disclosure rules for AI-assisted applications and considering AI-enabled screening and alternative evaluation methods. The analysis identifies no specific solicitation or award, but points to possible needs for tools and services supporting application triage, compliance detection, and bias assessment.

- Contractors serving grant-making organizations can assess whether their application triage, disclosure-checking, and bias-assessment capabilities address the operational pressures described.
- Procurement teams should distinguish this emerging area of interest from a funded requirement: the analysis cites no solicitation, award, or contract value.

**Jurisdictions:** international
**Industries:** Information Technology
**Topics:** Artificial Intelligence, Grants & Funding
**Published:** October 02, 2026

### Government Entities
- National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- Ministry of Science and Technology of China
- European Research Council (ERC)
- UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

### Sources
- [Funding Forward: Grant Applications Up 57 Percent Since 2022](https://www.govconwire.com/articles/elsevier-funding-forward-ai-grant-application-overload-research-funders) - GovCon Wire