Grants>Innovation

American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery Ellet H. Drake Memorial Award

Deadline: August 31st

The Ellet H. Drake Memorial Award was established in 1995 to recognize a practicing physician who has contributed to innovative laser procedures and/or laser products for medicine. The award is given in memory of Ellet Drake, M.D., co-founder of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery. The award may be given to either members or non-members. The award which consists of $1,000 and a plaque will be presented to the award recipient at the Annual Conference. The award recipient will be required to present a lecture during a plenary session at the conference.

The award candidate must meet the following criteria:

1. A practicing physician with at least five years of practice;
2. Contributed to innovative laser procedures and/or laser products for medicine;
3. Contributed to literature and/or has demonstrated excellence in teaching on a regional or greater level substantiating his/her laser activity during his/her career; and
4. Good verbal communication skills to allow for an informative appropriate lecture.

American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery
2100 Stewart Avenue
Suite 240
Wausau, WI 54401

Phone: 715.845.9283

Toll Free: 877.258.6028
Fax: 715.848.2493
Email: information@aslms.org

Epilepsy Therapy Project/Epilepsy Foundation New Therapy - Commercialization Grants Program

Letter of Intent due: March 1, 2012, 11:59 PM ET

If LOI is accepted, APPLICATION is due: April 12, 2012, 11:59 PM ET

The New Therapy - Commercialization Grants Program is a unique partnership between two leading epilepsy non-profit organizations, the Epilepsy Therapy Project and the Epilepsy Foundation. The mission of the New Therapy - Commercialization Grants Program is to drive the development of new therapies for epilepsy, accelerating the advancement of research from the laboratory to the patient. Funding is provided to academic and commercial groups worldwide. The Program seeks to advance the development of new therapies including but not limited to medicines, biologics or devices. All proposals must demonstrate a clear path from the lab to the patient and are evaluated with consideration for their potential value to patients, likelihood of successful development including regulatory approval and the timeframe of development. The Program also encourages 1:1 matching grants to academic and commercial entities to support the commercialization of novel approaches to the treatment of epilepsy. Preference will be given to proposals that already have a commercial partner engaged to assist with development, and to proposals that have committed or matched funding from a sponsoring institution, commercial partner or other third party source.

Applicants must demonstrate background work beyond the basic science discovery stage.

Areas of interest include:

Novel approaches to treatment.
Platform technology to advance screening techniques that can be utilized by multiple laboratories, including utility of techniques for early proof-of-concept trials.
Adaptation of treatment in development for another therapeutic area to assess utility for epilepsy (while maintaining patent protection).

All proposals will be evaluated by our Business and Scientific Advisory Boards, as described below:

Proposals are rated on the likelihood of success by the Business Advisory Board as:

Intellectual Property Strategy & Status; Freedom To Operate
Can this Get to Patients: Investment Potential & Likelihood of Ongoing Funding Support
Probability of Success / Time Factor
Fit with Program Mission / Patient Impact
Overall Impression

Proposals are rated on the likelihood of success by the Scientific Advisory Board as:

Quality of Science
Probability of Successful completion of milestones / outlined program
Timeframe of Success
Fit with Program Mission / Impact on Patients
Overall Impression

These grants are awarded only to programs that have progressed beyond the basic science discovery stage. Investigators are strongly advised to have their compounds screened, as appropriate, by the NINDS ASP Program, http://www.ninds.nih.gov/research/asp/index.htm. Investigators are expected to have an established record of achievement in the area. Full intellectual property (IP) rights (composition of matter) are preferred over method of use IP. Clinical programs must have a reasonable protocol and sample size to assure that the results will be meaningful; studies of patients should describe the type of seizure/epilepsy that will be investigated. Device programs should present novel concepts for treatment.

Confidential information should NOT be sent to ETP or provided in any grant application without advance discussion with ETP and only with appropriate confidentiality agreements.

Scientific questions about appropriateness of an application should be directed to Roger J. Porter, MD, roger@epilepsytherapyproject.org.

Investigators must submit a Letter of Intent by March 1, 2012 by 11:59 pm ET.

The deadline for receipt of full Grant proposals is April 12, 2012 by 11:59 pm ET.

Full proposals will be accepted only from Investigators whose Letter of Intent was approved.

Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge

Upload your video entry by April 19, 2012

2012 Video Topics

Many of the greatest innovations of our time were first designed to solve a simple problem. This year's Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge encourages young people to solve everyday problems using science and innovation. When you are working in the field of science, the opportunities are endless! Look around you - science is everywhere. Your innovative ideas just may revolutionize the way we live.

THE CHALLENGE
Specifically, students will be challenged to identify an everyday problem related to the way we move, the way we keep ourselves healthy, or the way we make a difference. The problem should directly impact them, their family, their community, or the global population. The idea must be a new innovation or solution, and cannot simply be a behavioral change or a new use for an existing product.

VIDEO SUBMISSION
The challenge is to create a one- to two- minute video that...

explains the problem and how it impacts them, their family, their community or the global population;
describes a new innovation or solution that could solve or impact the problem;
explains the science, technology, engineering and/or mathematics behind their innovation; and
illustrates how their innovation could both address the everyday problem they've identified and have a broader impact locally or globally.

THOUGHT STARTERS
The following are thought-starters within each category. Students are encouraged to consider one of these topics or come up with their own ideas within these categories.

The Way We Move
Millions of people around the globe are moving everyday-walking, biking, driving, taking the bus or ferry, or traveling on horseback, just to name a few.

What kinds of technologies, innovations, or solutions might:
Help reduce traffic accidents, jams or other transportation safety hazards?
Create greener transportation solutions that are less harmful to the environment? (electrical, natural gas, hybrid, etc)
Reduce your carbon footprint? And improve the energy to humans per mile ratio? (public transportation, natural gas powered vehicles, etc.)Improve airline screening and/or security tools to make air transportation safer and/or more efficient?
Make transportation more accessible to people with disabilities, limitations or challenges?

The Way We Keep Ourselves Healthy
From the ball field, to the living room, to the classroom, ensuring the health and safety of others is of paramount importance.

What kinds of technologies, innovations, or solutions might:
Ensure clean drinking water for all people across the world?
Detect and/or prevent food poisoning?
Prevent the spread of germs or illness when you're sick?
Improve the way drugs or vaccines are administered to treat disease or illness?
Ensure fruits and vegetables are kept fresh?

The Way We Make a Difference.
Science touches every part of our lives, especially in times of need.

What kinds of technologies, innovations, or solutions might:
Protect people in the event of an emergency? (for example, communications, shelter, first aid, clean air/water)
Reduce energy loss in homes and buildings so that less energy is used?
Improve the quality of life for people living in remote parts of the world?
Produce energy in ways that is least harmful to the environment?

Entries will be scored using the following judging criteria:

Creativity (ingenuity and innovative thinking) (30%);
Scientific knowledge (30%);
Persuasiveness and effective communication (20%); and
Overall presentation (20%).
In order to enter, students must be in grades 5 through 8, and must submit a video entry online.

Students will be challenged to create a one- to two-minute video that explains their idea for a NEW invention intended to solve an everyday problem. Video entries must be related to the way we move, the way we keep ourselves healthy, or the way we make a difference.

Video entries must demonstrate the student's understanding of a scientific concept and should also exhibit his or her comfort level discussing science in general.

Videos do NOT need to be "produced" or have high production value. Judges are not evaluating production skills. Videos may be recorded on cell phones or simple digital cameras, for example. In addition, local libraries and schools may be able to loan cameras to students.

Videos will be screened to determine whether they meet all entry requirements and will then be presented to a panel of online judges.

Video entries are due on April 19, 2012.

Judges will review the video submissions and choose 10 finalists and up to 51 merit winners: one from each state and the District of Columbia.

Students will be contacted via phone and/or email in early June if they are selected as a Finalist. State Merit Winners will be notified in mid-June.

Exclusive Summer Mentorship Program

The 10 finalists will be paired with 3M scientists to complete a summer assignment having to do with innovation. Together they will work virtually through pre-assigned objectives with resources and support provided by Discovery Education and 3M.

Final Event at 3M Headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota

In the fall, 10 finalists will receive a trip to St. Paul, Minnesota, during which they will present their completed "innovation" to a panel of judges.

Finalists will be judged on their scientific problem solving and communication skills.

2012 Student Prizes

Prizing

America's 2012 Top Young Scientist will be awarded $25,000 and other finalists will receive exciting prizes.
First Place

$25,000
The title of "America's Top Young Scientist"
A trip from Discovery Student Adventures
A Contest Trophy

Finalists

A trip for the student and ONE parent/guardian to competition finals
$1,000
A Contest Medal or Trophy
A chance to win a trip from Discovery Student Adventures AND a chance to win $25,000!

Six Second Prize Winners

"Excitations" for a $500 excursion, subject to terms at https://discovery.excitations.com/about/terms

Three Runner-Up Prize Winners

A trip from Discovery Student Adventures

Merit Winners (up to 51 - one from each State and the District of Columbia)

3M Innovation Prize

Call for Nominations: Innovation in Materials Characterization Award

2013 Nomination Deadline: October 01, 2012

Purpose

To honor an outstanding advance in materials characterization that notably increases the knowledge of the structure, composition, in situ behavior under outside stimulus, electronic, mechanical, or chemical behavior, or other characterization feature, of materials. It is not limited to the method of characterization or the class of material observed. Impact of the advance on materials research will be the primary consideration in making the award. Nominations for this award may be made for scientists and engineers in all areas of materials research.

The Award

The annual award consists of a $5,000 cash prize, a presentation trophy, and a certificate. The award is presented annually at the MRS Spring Meeting. Meeting registration fee and transportation and hotel expenses to attend the meeting at which the award is presented will be reimbursed.

Endowers

The Innovation in Materials Characterization Award has been endowed by Dr. Toh-Ming Lu and Dr. Gwo-Ching Wang

Nomination Information

Nominations for the Innovation in Materials Characterization Award will be accepted through October 1.

Please direct all other questions to info@mrs.org.

Materials Research Society
506 Keystone Drive
Warrendale, PA 15086-7537

Healthy New Year Video Challenge

Let’s get the new year off to a healthy start! The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) Healthy New Year Video Challenge (#HealthIT4U2012) invites you to create a short, compelling video (up to 2 minutes in length) sharing one New Year’s resolution for improving your health or the health of a loved one, and how you will use technology to achieve your resolution.

We encourage you to create videos that are creative, inspiring and instructive — share a resolution that others can relate to, and demonstrate how technology will make it easier to achieve. Your resolution can be anything health related, such as quitting smoking or drinking, eating healthier, losing weight, reducing stress, or managing a chronic condition. Videos must show how you will use information technology to achieve your resolution and how you plan to maintain it. Entries could include the following kinds of resolutions (these are just examples — be creative and craft your own resolution!):

I will set up an online personal health record for myself (or another family member) so I can have all of my health information conveniently stored in one place.

I will ask my doctor for a copy of my own health records — electronically if available — and help him or her to identify any important information that may be missing or need to be corrected.

I will find an online community that helps me figure out the best ways to manage my health condition (depression, cancer, diabetes, etc.)

I will use an electronic pedometer to help me track my physical activity and will try to take 10,000 steps per day.
I will find an app on my smartphone to help me track my food intake so I can lose 10 pounds by my high school reunion.

I will sign up for a text reminder program on my cell phone to help me stop smoking or remind me to take my medications on time.

The goal of the challenge is to make 2012 a healthier year by motivating and inspiring others to use health information technology to be more engaged in improving health and increasing adoption of consumer health technology.

Note: To participate, you must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States. Team members must be at least 18, but your video can include minors under 18 as long as a parent or legal guardian signs their consent forms.

Submission Period
Jan 9 10:00AM EST To Feb 16 05:00PM EST

Prizes

First Prize: $2,000

Second Prize: $1,000

Third Prize: $500

Honorable Mention (3): $250

Popular Choice Award: $750

Judges

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

All Submissions will be judged by a qualified panel of HHS staff

Judging Criteria

Quality of the Idea

Includes elements such as the relevance and originality of your plan to use health IT
Implementation of the Idea

Includes elements such as the quality of the video content, narrative and visual appearance
Potential Impact on health IT adoption

Includes whether the video is compelling, instructive, and easy to follow so that others can achieve a similar resolution using health technology

Call for Nominations of Social Innovators in Encore Careers for 2012 Purpose Prize

All entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. ET, March 22, 2012.

The Purpose Prize, now in its sixth year, is the nation's only large-scale investment in people over 60 who are combining their passion and experience for social good. The Prize awards up to $100,000 each to five people in encore careers creating new ways to solve tough social problems.

The Prize was created in 2005 by Civic Ventures with funding from the John Templeton Foundation and The Atlantic Philanthropies to showcase the value of experience and disprove notions that innovation is the sole province of the young. It’s for those with the passion to make change and the experience to know how to do it.

For Purpose Prize inquiries, contact:

Alexandra Cespedes Kent, Director, at (415) 222-7486 or by email at akent@civicventures.org

Biomedical Engineering Society Distinguished Achievement Award

The BMES Distinguished Achievement Award (formerly the BMES/ BME International Award) is awarded each year to an individual, a company, charitable foundation, or non-academic institutions that have made great contributions to the field of biomedical engineering to recognize and honor such organization. The President, CEO or Founder of the recognized organization is expected to deliver a plenary lecture at the BMES Annual Meeting and to publish the text of the lecture in the Annals of Biomedical Engineering. An important purpose of the lecture is to offer a vision of the challenges and opportunities in biomedical engineering.

Conditions:

It has been an expressed desire of the of the Lee family that this award be used mostly to recognize biomedical engineers from non-academic institutions.
Application form, nominee’s curriculum vitae, resume or a short bio, letter (s) of support not to exceed 5 letters.
The contributions of the awardee do not need to precede the award date by any specific period of time.
The Awards Committee will screen the nominations, critically evaluate the nominees’ records, and submit a rank ordered list of the top nominees to the BMES President. The President will select the awardee.
Applicants must be BMES member in good standing.
The award will consist of a plaque, a complimentary registration for the annual meeting, a check of $1,000, and up to $1,000 to assist with travel expenses.

Submit the nomination with a letters describing the nominee's service to biomedical engineering; Nominee's Short Bio, Resume or CV, all submission must be electronic. Email your nomination to regina@bmes.org. Submission deadline is May 31st.

Call for International Association for Food Protection 2012 Award Nominations

The International Association for Food Protection welcomes your nominations for our 2012 Association Awards. Nominate your colleagues for one of the many prestigious awards. Students are also encouraged to apply for an IAFP Student Travel Scholarship. Nomination criteria is available online at: http://www.foodprotection.org/about-us/awards/.

The awards to be presented are as follows:

Black Pearl Award
Sponsored by Wilbur Feagan and F&H Food Equipment Company
Award Showcasing the Black Pearl. Presented in recognition of a company's outstanding achievement in corporate excellence in food safety and quality.

Fellow Award
Distinguished Plaque. Presented to Members who have contributed to IAFP and its Affiliates with distinction over an extended period of time.

Honorary Life Membership Award
Plaque and Lifetime Membership in IAFP. Presented to Members for their devotion to the high ideals and objectives of IAFP and for their service to the Association.

Harry Haverland Citation Award
Sponsored by ConAgra Foods, Inc.
Plaque and $2,500 Honorarium. Presented to an individual for years of devotion to the ideals and objectives of IAFP.

Food Safety Innovation Award
Sponsored by Walmart
Plaque and $2,500 Honorarium. Presented to an individual or organization for creating a new idea, practice, or product that has had a positive impact on food safety, thus, improving public health, and the quality of life.

International Leadership Award
Sponsored by Cargill, Inc.
Plaque, $1,500 Honorarium and Reimbursement to attend IAFP 2012. Presented to an individual for dedication to the high ideals and objectives of IAFP and for promotion of the mission of the Association in countries outside of the United States and Canada.

GMA Food Safety Award
Sponsored by Grocery Manufacturers Association
Plaque and $3,000 Honorarium. This Award alternates between individuals and groups or organizations. In 2012, the award will be presented to a group or organization for a highly significant food safety development or in recognition of a long history of outstanding contributions to food safety research and education.

Frozen Food Foundation Freezing Research Award
Sponsored by the Frozen Food Foundation
Plaque and $2,000 Honorarium. Presented to an individual, group or organization for preeminence and outstanding contributions in research that impacts food safety attributes of freezing.

Maurice Weber Laboratorian Award
Sponsored by Weber Scientific
Plaque and $1,500 Honorarium. Presented to an individual for outstanding contributions in the laboratory, recognizing a commitment to the development of innovative and practical analytical approaches in support of food safety.

Larry Beuchat Young Researcher Award
Sponsored by bioMérieux, Inc.
Plaque and $2,000 Honorarium. Presented to a young researcher who has shown outstanding ability and professional promise in the early years of their career.

Sanitarian Award
Sponsored by Ecolab Inc.
Plaque and $1,500 Honorarium. Presented to an individual for outstanding service to the public, IAFP and the profession of the Sanitarian.

Elmer Marth Educator Award
Sponsored by Nelson-Jameson, Inc.
Plaque and $1,500 Honorarium. Presented to an individual for outstanding service to the public, IAFP and the arena of education in food safety and food protection.

Harold Barnum Industry Award
Sponsored by Roka Bioscience, Inc.
Plaque and $1,500 Honorarium. Presented to an individual for outstanding service to the public, IAFP and the food industry.

Travel Award for State or Local Health or State Agricultural Department Employees
Sponsored by the IAFP Foundation and a contribution by Marler Clark, LLP, PS to the Foundation
To provide travel funds for state or local health or state agricultural department employees (epidemiologists, food and molecular microbiologists, and environmental health specialists) working in the United States to attend the Annual Meeting of the International Association for Food Protection and to encourage participation in association activities.

Student Travel Scholarship
Sponsored by the IAFP Foundation
To provide travel funding for full-time students to attend the Annual Meeting (including symposia and technical sessions) of the International Association for Food Protection and to encourage developing scientists to participate in association activities. Scholarships will be awarded to students enrolled in a college or university food safety-related degree program.

Samuel J. Crumbine Consumer Protection Award
Presented annually for excellence and continual improvement in a comprehensive program of food protection at the local level.

You may make multiple nominations. All nominations must be received at the IAFP office by Tuesday, February 28, 2012. You do not have to be an IAFP Member to nominate a deserving professional or colleague. Student Members of the International Association for Food Protection are invited to submit their application for the Student Travel Scholarship award to attend the IAFP Annual Meeting.

Questions regarding award nominations submission should be directed to Susan Smith, at ssmith@foodprotection.org or call + 1 515.276.3344; + 1 800.369.6337.

The International Association for Food Protection is a non-profit educational association of food protection professionals. The Association is dedicated to the education and service of its Members, specifically, as well as industry personnel. The Association provides Members with an information network and forum for professional improvement through its two scientific journals, Journal of Food Protection and Food Protection Trends, educational Annual Meeting, and interaction with other food safety professionals. Membership information can be obtained by calling + 1 800.369.6337; + 1 515.276.3344; fax: +1 515.276.8655, E-mail: info@foodprotection.org; or Web site: www.foodprotection.org.

About International Association for Food Protection

The International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) represents more than 3,400 food safety professionals committed to Advancing Food Safety Worldwide. The association includes educators, government officials, microbiologists, food industry executives and quality control professionals who are involved in all aspects of growing, storing, transporting, processing and preparing all types of foods. Working together, IAFP members, representing more than 70 countries, help the association achieve its mission through networking, educational programs, journals, career opportunities and numerous other resources.

For more information, contact:

International Association for Food Protection
6200 Aurora Avenue, Suite 200W
Des Moines, IA 50322-2864 USA
Phone: +1 515.276.3344; +1 800.369.6337
Fax: +1 515.276.8655
E-Mail: info@foodprotection.org

2012 Kavli Save the World Through Science & Engineering Video Contest

Do you think we can save the world through science and engineering? Join hundreds of the world’s leading scientists, engineers, thinkers, and innovators as we tackle mankind’s greatest challenges and help to build our future.

The Kavli Foundation is challenging Grades 6-12 students across the world to brainstorm and share their ideas! This year's contest theme is inspired the National Academy of Engineering's Grand Challenges. The NAE recently asked some of the world's leading technological thinkers to identify what needs to be done to make people and our planet thrive.

Students worldwide are invited to submit entries to the 2012 video contest, with cash awards and prizes for the top entries. The best videos will be shown at the Festival Expo during April 27-29, 2012, where hundreds of thousands of science fans are expected to gather in Washington, D.C. The first place winner will also receive a travel stipend to attend the Expo.

Entries will be accepted on SchoolTube.com Oct 1, 2011 - March 1, 2012.

Our contest theme this year was inspired by the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) Grand Challenges. "Meeting these challenges would be 'game changing,'" says NAE president Charles M. Vest. "Success with any one of them could dramatically improve life for everyone and may even be required for our survival."

We are challenging you to:

1. Investigate and Solve:

THE NEXT GREAT SOLUTION. What problem(s) do you think man needs to solve to improve life on earth? Is it to make solar energy economical, to provide access to clean water for everyone, improve the way we teach students, or something else? Investigate the problem and propose or share a solution (examples: energy, food production, climate, disease)

2. Explore and Discover:

THE NEXT GREAT FRONTIER. Where, or what, do you think man needs to better explore or investigate, and why? Maybe it’s space, or the depths of the ocean, perhaps our own brains? Be sure to explain how the discovery will improve or enhance our lives. (Examples: the human mind, the oceans, the earth, the sun, the universe, the human genome, cyberspace)

3. Dream and Build:

THE NEXT COOL TOOL. What do you think we need to invent and build next? Why? How will we engineer the tools of scientific discovery, enhance virtual reality, secure cyberspace, or create some other cool tool? (Examples: nano devices and materials, new sources of energy from microbes, metallic elements, carbon sequestering, water purification, climate, transportation technology, data technology, robots, virtual worlds, bio-monitoring/testing devices, cloaking devices, communications devices, security technology, learning technology)

Explore your subject(s) online, in the classroom, and with your teacher. Develop your ideas, discuss them, and prepare to tell us about why they matter. Will you wow your viewers with visions of the future, or sober us and warn us about the present? Might you find your inspiration in the wing of a bird, the eye of a fly, or maybe deep in the heart of the sun? You might choose to investigate or reflect on an issue like sustainability, clean energy, a man-made or natural disaster, phenomena, or an unexplored or underused natural resource. What benefits might we reap, what problems might we solve? What obstacles must we surmount before we can tap the resource? We are encouraging creative approaches, so your video could be anything from a poem or song or personal reflection upon one (or some, or all) of these themes, an animation, an interview with someone in your community, or an expression of your own views on the general state of mankind and our relationships with technology. For example, how might we better harness technology to cure disease, provide affordable energy, food, and clean water? How does technology help us, how does it hinder us? These are just some ideas to help get you thinking about how we can save our world though science and engineering.

Who Can Enter – Individual students or groups from Grades 6-12 schools, home school networks, after-school programs, science clubs or any other organization the student is representing for the purpose of the contest. The contest is open to international students.

Types of Videos Eligible - Videos should explore the main contest theme “Save the World Through Science and Engineering.” We are asking students to use their imaginations and investigative skills to tackle global challenges, explore new frontiers, and to discover and discuss the inventions that help mankind and improve life on our planet.

Videos must be 30-90 seconds in length, educational and suitable for general public screening.

All videos must be uploaded to SchoolTube.com

A distinguished panel of judges comprised of scientists, educators, and video professionals will choose winning videos.

Deadlines and Prizes – The contest will open Oct. 1, 2011 and all entries must be submitted before midnight on March 1, 2012. First prize is $2000 and a travel stipend to travel to Washington DC for the Expo. Second prize is $750, third prize is $500. The People’s Choice Award prize is $250. Additional prizes include individual student licenses for Wolfram Mathematica Software.

Go Viral to Improve Health Second Annual Institute of Medicine-National Academy of Engineering Health Data Collegiate Challenge

Using social networking, mobile apps, and other new technologies, how can the power of health data be unleashed to increase awareness of health problems and inspire positive action at the community level? The IOM and NAE challenge college and university students to use health data to develop effective, innovative apps that take on the nation’s pressing health issues.

The Challenge

With an abundance of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) data and other health data available as part of the Health Data Initiative (HDI), students have an unprecedented opportunity to create interactive apps and other tools that engage and empower people in ways that lead to better health. Working in interdisciplinary teams that meld technological skills with health knowledge, the IOM and NAE believe that college students can generate exciting and powerful new products – the next “viral” apps - to improve health for communities and individuals.

To “Go Viral To Improve Health”:

Identify a health problem in your college’s surrounding community
Assemble an interdisciplinary student team
Develop an app using data from the HHS Health Indicators Warehouse and other data sources
Demonstrate how your solution will engage people in your community to promote action that will improve their health

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

The challenge is open only to teams comprised of students, 18 years of age or older, currently enrolled in a United States college or university. Students must be enrolled in their college or university both at the beginning of the challenge as well as when the technology product is submitted.

A team must include at least 2 people. There may be no more than 5 people on a team.

A team must be interdisciplinary.

At least one team member must be from a computer science, engineering, or similar school, program, or major.

At least one team member must be from a medical, nursing, public health, dental, pharmacy, allied health or similar school, program or major.

The remaining members of the team may be from any discipline, school, program, or major within the college of university.

Colleges and universities may have several teams; however, a student may only be a part of one team.

The challenge is open to both undergraduate and graduate students. A team may include both undergraduate and graduate students.

Teams members must be from the same college or university. If the school does not offer one of the required disciplines, students must reach out to the challenge sponsors for approval to compete.

Teams are required to consult with a faculty advisor. The faculty advisor's name, title, and contact information must be provided during registration. As teams develop the strategy for their app, the faculty advisor may provide guidance, however the majority of the work should be developed by the students.

Any team that supplies false information, enters the challenge by fraudulent means, or is otherwise determined to be in violation of the eligibility criteria or terms of the challenge shall be ineligible for any prize and shall be required to forfeit any prize obtained based on such information or means.

Prizes

Three winning teams will be recognized for their work in the creation of the next "viral" app in the 2012 Challenge.

First place: $5,000 prize
Second place: $3,000 prize
Third place: $2,000 prize

Team Registration

Students wishing to compete in the 2012 Go Viral to Improve Health Challenge must first register their team members to verify eligibility. A team must consist between two and five currently enrolled students at a U.S. college or university.

Registration is open from November 1, 2011 through February 10, 2012.

Registration is a two-step process. Once the registration process is completed in February 2012, eligible teams will be invited to submit their final app. The submission link will be released by February 17, 2012. Teams will have until March 28, 2012 at 12:00 PM EST to submit their app for this year's challenge. Questions concerning eligibility and the registration or submission process, should be directed to goviral@nas.edu.