Attend the Big Ideas Pitch Event
Hear the top finalists deliver their pitch for a chance to transform their idea into reality.
The intent of the Big Ideas Program is to support novel and innovative projects that are clinically relevant, technically feasible, and operationally sustainable. Annually, the program provides an opportunity for collaborative clinical, operational and research teams to develop innovations in informatics and healthcare delivery.
Applicants may request up to $50,000 in grant funding.
The intent of the Big Ideas competition is to support innovative projects that are clinically relevant, rigorously evaluated and operationally sustainable. Applications should explain how their proposed project speaks to these characteristics. Successful proposals could, for example, reflect the following strategies:
- Improve inpatient nursing turnover
- Improve ED and hospital patient flow
- Improve primary care patient experience and outcomes
- Improve maternal patient experience and outcomes
- Improve patient placement post discharge (transitions to home, home health, nursing home, etc.)
Some examples of successful project ideas might include:
- How might we help our patients navigate our system?
- How might we better communicate with our patients?
- How might we better educate our patients?
- How might we help inpatients get home and stay home?
- How might we help at-risk moms during their pregnancy and post-partum period?
- How can we use AI to deliver the right information to the right provider in the right place and time and improve the quality, safety, and outcomes of care?
Hear from previous Big Ideas participants about what it’s like to get your idea funded and how it’s helped their team implement the idea in a real clinical setting.
The competition encourages applications from all individuals affiliated with BJC HealthCare and/or the Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM), with a preference for projects that involve collaboration across the two organizations. The Lab and I2 administrations are happy to help facilitate connections between BJC and School of Medicine partners, if needed.
- High impact proposals that do not involve multiple sites or organizations will also be considered for funding.
- For research fellows or trainees, the mentor (faculty member) must submit the application as the primary investigator. Please describe within the application the trainee-mentor circumstance.
- Primary investigators/project leads may hold only one innovation award at a time and total awarded funds may not exceed $50,000 within a 12-month period. (PIs may serve as team members on multiple teams.)
- Proposals should include at least three members in good standing in order to be considered. An example of a successful team could be: a clinician, a research investigator, and an operational champion.
- The proposal should highlight how funding will be used to advance healthcare delivery.
| Oct. 28, 2022, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Dec. 1, 2022, 1-3 p.m. Jan. 10, 2023, 2-4 p.m. Feb. 3, 2023, 2-4 p.m. | Letter of Intent Office Hours. |
| Mar. 15, 2023 | Letter of Intent Due |
| Mar. 31, 2023 | Applicants notified of Pitch Event participation |
| Apr. 25, 2023 | Pitch Event |
| May 9, 2023 | Full Applications Due |
| May 22, 2023 | Winners Selected and Notified |
Submit letters of intent using this form.
Accepted intent proposals will be invited to apply.
For more information or to ask questions, please contact us at bigideas@wustl.edu.