Real-time forecasting and inference tools for infectious disease outbreaks
Official title: Methods for real-time forecasting and inference during infectious disease outbreaks
Funded at University of Massachusetts Amherst · NIH-11329484 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to improve real-time forecasts of infectious disease outbreaks to help communities respond quickly and effectively.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Massachusetts Amherst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hadley, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2016 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $466,803 |
| NIH project number | 2R35GM119582-11 |
| Project ID | NIH-11329484 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Public health professionals, modelers, epidemiologists, and researchers who work on outbreak forecasting and real-time decision-making.
✕Less likely to help
Direct patient benefits may be limited to communities affected by outbreaks rather than individual medical care.
What this research studies
This project develops new methods that combine patient-level genomic and virologic data to improve outbreak forecasting. It also tests strategies for ensembles of predictive models and creates an open-source software platform for researchers and public health teams to share and evaluate predictions. An expanded set of free educational modules will train researchers and public health practitioners in building, validating, and using forecast models for real-time responses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could lead to faster, more accurate outbreak predictions and better-informed public health actions to protect patients and communities.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has shown promise in improving outbreak forecasts with data-driven models, but this project emphasizes real-time integration and open-source collaboration which is a novel expansion.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Hadley, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Reich, Nicholas G — University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Study coordinator: Reich, Nicholas G
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.