14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has debuted a new initiative designed to grow the ecosystem of health solutions focused on its HealthVault platform and HealthVault Search service. Under the slogan "Be well. Funded." the Redmond company has announced the creation of the HealthVault Be Well Fund, offering no less than $3 million to providers of online health software solutions in an effort to drive research and development. Microsoft has informed that it starts accepting proposals from February 25 and until May 9, 2008. On July 1, the company plans to announce the grant winners.
"Whether you are a healthcare provider or consumer, the inability to access information where and when it's needed is a huge source of frustration and can result in incomplete care and wellness decisions. As consumers begin to demand better health solutions, and providers look to better engage with their patients, the industry can benefit from a renewed push for innovative development that will bring to life yet-to-be-imagined Web applications that help people live longer, healthier lives," stated Peter Neupert, corporate vice president, Health Solutions Group, Microsoft.
For the time being, the Redmond company is looking for online health solutions tailored to both the HealthVault platform and HealthVault Search and addressing the following areas: Primary Prevention, Secondary Prevention, Acute Care, Juvenile Disease Management, Women's Health Management and Community and Social Health. But even though Microsoft requires close integration with its HealthVault project and proprietary technology, it has also indicated support for cross-platform solutions aimed at increasing interoperability. Developers found out since last week that they would benefit from the HealthVault XML interfaces under the Microsoft Open Specification Promise and by a hosted HealthVault community open source project on Microsoft CodePlex.
"Proposals will be evaluated on their potential to significantly advance the state of health in one or more areas of focus and demonstrate the potential for expansion into a large-scale program. The total fund pool is $3 million, with a maximum of $500,000 awarded for any individual proposal. All proposals will be reviewed by a panel of healthcare industry leaders, chosen by the Microsoft Health Solutions Group. Eligible organizations must be either an accredited degree-granting college or university with nonprofit status and awarding degrees at the baccalaureate level or above, or a research or health institution with nonprofit status," Microsoft added.