What is the Grand Challenge?

Made possible through the generosity of philanthropist Mark Kahn, the Kahn Pediatric Critical Care Grand Challenge is a powerful funding avenue that supports diagnostic, device, therapeutic, and health IT solutions addressing current gaps in the monitoring, diagnosis and treatment of critically ill and/or injured children.

The Grand Challenge’s unique framework helps multidisciplinary critical care research teams surpass barriers between concept and realization by providing dedicated tools and resources to funded projects.

Funding will be available to support four teams up to a maximum of $100k each.

This event is open to all U-M faculty and staff. Participants from outside organizations are welcome to participate provided at least one PI on their team is from the University of Michigan.

2024 Key Dates & Deadlines

Project support that goes beyond funding.

By submitting a 2-page proposal to any of the Weil Institute’s Grand Challenge programs, researchers receive access to a wealth of support even if their project does not get funded.

Access to ALL of the Weil Institute’s Member Services

By submitting a 2-page proposal, all Grand Challenge participants will also gain access to the services of the Weil Institute’s Large Animal Laboratory, Data Science team, Clinical Research team, and Proposal Development team to help move their project across the finish line.

 

Review and Feedback from Proposal Development and Commercialization Experts

Weil’s proposal development and commercialization experts are available to review Grand Challenge proposals at multiple points throughout the application process.

Following the formal review, all submissions will receive written feedback from the review committee, regardless of whether they continue in the competition. For those moving forward, specific points of feedback will be covered for the next stage of submission.

 

Optional Proposal Development Support

For teams that do not move forward in the competition and/or are not funded by the Grand Challenge, our Proposal Development team is available to help refine proposals and assist in finding and applying to additional funding opportunities. (Note: appointments required)

 

Engage with Mentors in Residence and U-M Innovation Partnerships

The Weil Institute's commercialization expert works closely with U-M Innovation Partnerships and the Mentors In Residence program.

Grand Challenge applicants can work with the Weil team to engage and collaborate with these partners as they move their project along the translational timeline. In addition, our commercialization expert will keep teams apprised of any upcoming opportunities that might benefit the project.

Ongoing Project Support to Translation

Weil Institute mentors and coaches will continue to work with funded teams in areas such as quarterly progress reports and disclosure of new inventions/IP. (Note: the project must have been awarded funding through the Grand Challenge.)

 

Networking and External Outreach

As part of the award process, funded teams are expected to participate in a number of events and opportunities throughout the funding cycle.

These postering and/or presentation events are excellent networking opportunities to connect with like-minded researchers, donors, entrepreneurs and others who can help to propel your research forward. In addition, all funded and Weil-supported projects are featured on our website and social media accounts, connecting them to our wide network of collaborators and supporters.

Project Scoring Criteria

NEW PROJECTS

  1. Relevance to Kahn Grand Challenge Focus
    • Does your project focus on a clinically important gap in the diagnosis, monitoring or treatment of critically ill and/or injured pediatric patients?
  2. Clinical Impact
    • If successful, would your project have significant clinical impact?
  3. Research Plan
    • Will results of your study be reliable and actionable?
  4. Realistic Budget & Timeline
    • Can results be achieved with the funds requested in the time allocated?

COMPETITIVE RENEWALS

  1. Research Plan
    • Will results of this next stage of study be reliable and actionable?
  2. Project Management
    • How has your team managed their past milestones and/or any issues that have arisen during the previous funding cycle?
  3. Progress Toward Commercialization and/or Follow-On Funding
    • Is your project at a stage where Kahn Grand Challenge funding will move it closer toward commercialization or additional follow-on funding?
  4. Realistic Budget & Timeline
    • Can results be achieved with the funds in the time allocated?

Kahn Grand Challenge Oversight Committee

Need more information about the Kahn Grand Challenge?

Dr. Rodney Daniels shares all of the Grand Challenge details in this virtual info session. Click below to get the scoop!

QUESTIONS?
Contact kahngrandchallenge@umich.edu for more information and/or to help connect you with potential team members.

Grand Challenge FAQs

How does the Grand Challenge work? How can I be successful?

The Grand Challenge supports high-impact proposals by funding milestone-driven research over a 12-month timeframe. To be successful teams must:

  • Think inside and outside the box and propose high risk, high reward projects that specifically address the needs of critically ill and injured children

  • Multidisciplinary teams of researchers are favored

  • Projects with more viable plans for acceleration are favored – work must lead to a next significant level/step to bedside (i.e. jump form rodent to large animal, jump from large animal to clinical feasibility, etc.)

  • A product, method, process, must be proposed (not typical discovery basic science)

  • Does not have to have intellectual property

Where can I learn more about the IP/Commercialization aspects of the Grand Challenge?
What are the scoring criteria?

Relevance to Kahn Pediatric Critical Care Grand Challenge Focus

Does the project focus on a clinically important gap in the diagnosis, monitoring or treatment of critically ill or injured children?

Clinical Impact

If successful, would the project have significant clinical impact?

Research Plan

Will the results of the study be reliable and actionable?

Realistic Budget & Timeline

Can results be achieved with the funds in the time allocated?

What kind of support does the Weil Institute provide?

  • Need help finding an interdisciplinary team? Through our network of members, we can help connect you with the right Co-PI for your project.

  • The Weil Institute will review proposals before submission for any teams interested in receiving feedback. If you would like feedback on your 2-page proposal before submitting it, please send to kahngrandchallenge@umich.edu BEFORE January 29, 2024. An Invitation to submit a 10 page proposal will be sent out on February 22, 2024.

  • Mentors and coaches will continue to collaborate with project teams after they have been funded.

  • The Weil Institute will support and review quarterly progress reports, submitted to the Kahn Oversight Committee.

  • Our Product Commercialization team will work with Grand Challenge teams as new inventions/IP is disclosed to the U-M Office of Innovation Partnerships in advance of a public disclosure and to make sure milestones are met.

  • Our Proposal Development team can help Grand Challenge teams with follow-on funding.