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Outbreak Innovations Pitch Competition:
Bold ideas to accelerate prediction, prevention, and response for epidemic-prone diseases
 
Applications due September 14, 2018

Download the application form here.

Do you have a creative solution to predict, prevent, or respond to an outbreak?  If so, we want to help you get that idea out of the lab and into the field! The Outbreak Innovations Pitch Competition is co-sponsored by ASTMH and Vulcan, Inc. and will be a lively, fun and interactive session that will showcase some of the most inspiring ideas of the ASTMH community. We are looking for a wide range of ideas, from early stage thinking to field-tested prototypes, that address problems spanning outbreak prediction, prevention, and response. 
 
Five semi-finalists will be selected to pitch their ideas at the Annual Meeting in New Orleans in November 2018.  Semi-finalists will receive coaching and guidance from a team of advisors including experts at the Center for Innovation and Impact/Bureau of Global Health, USAID, Vulcan Inc., and the Colorado School of Public Health.
 
Interested applicants are requested to submit a 3-page application by September 14, 2018. The application process is open to all attendees of the ASTMH Annual Meeting, including members and non-members. Submissions will be reviewed by a selection panel. Finalists are expected to be present in person to pitch, travel support is not provided.

A judging panel and audience will score the finalists during the symposium and the innovative idea with the highest score will be announced as winner.
 
The Grand Prize winner will receive a monetary award of $1000 USD and an opportunity for partnership, investment, and coaching to help bring your idea to market.
 
Topics for innovation include, but are not restricted to:
(1) mitigate risk through social communication,
(2) improve predictive capabilities,
(3) deliver better tools (surveillance, diagnostics, data-sharing, vector control, as examples),
(4) other novel innovations to prevent, detect and respond to outbreaks of international concern.
 
Submit your idea to Dr. May Chu at may.chu@ucdenver.edu by September 14, 2018 midnight ET.
 
Organizers:
May C. Chu, Ph.D. Colorado School of Public Health, Anschutz Medical Center, Aurora, CO
Vikas Meka, MEng, MBA, Bureau for Global Health, USAID, Crystal City, VA
 
Co-sponsors: 
ASTMH
Vulcan, Inc.             
Vulcan Inc.is the engine behind philanthropist and Microsoft cofounder Paul G. Allen's network of organizations and initiatives. Vulcan Inc. leverages data, technology and science in the development of innovative solutions for global health challenges.