To further investigate the role blockchain has in health IT, the ONC launched an ideation challenge soliciting whitepapers exploring how this technology can advance interoperability and privacy needs.
Blockchain is a data structure that maintains and secures information in a way that the information can't be tampered with. Data can move to different touchpoints, but blockchain creates a log of events that are unchangeable, which preserves data integrity and security.
The ONC's Ideation Challenge seeks whitepapers discussing the cryptography and underlying fundamentals of blockchain, how it can be leveraged to advance the ONC's interoperability goals, its potential role in precision medicine and other healthcare delivery needs.
The agency will award between 12 and 15 whitepapers cash prizes ranging from $1,500 to $5,000, and up to eight winners may be given the opportunity to present their paper at a workshop hosted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
The submission period ends Aug. 8.
Click here for more information.
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