Spark Tank
The Med Ed Pitch Event
Pitch your boldest ideas and transform the future of medical education!
Spark Tank is a fast-paced, high-energy event where medical educators, students, and academic innovators team up to pitch their boldest ideas to a panel of expert judges. Teams take the stage to showcase their concept, whether it’s a new teaching tool, curriculum model, assessment method, or digital platform, all with the goal of securing institutional funding to bring their vision to life.
More than a competition, Spark Tank cultivates a culture of creativity, collaboration, and forward-thinking in medical education, inspiring participants to reimagine how we teach and learn in the health professions.
Thank you to the Rymer Innovation Awards program and the Doug Jones Family Endowment in Medical 麻豆传媒高清 for their generous support of this event.
Join the excitement
Pitch your idea for $5k in funding or join the audience and help decide who gets it!
Spark Tank 2026 Details
Date & Time
February 12, 2026, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Location
Anschutz Health Sciences Building
P12-210 West Conference Center
Additional Details
- Lunch provided for those registered by January 15
- Event program includes presentations from finalist teams
- Audience participation: vote for your favorite team!
Questions
Contact us at som.academy@cuanschutz.edu
Sign up to be part of the audience!
Scroll down to apply to compete as a team.
For Teams
Timeline
September 1- November 1, 2025
Team applications open
November 2-30, 2025
Application review and team selection
December 1, 2025
Team selections announced
February 3, 2026
Pitch Lab: Med Ed Edition (optional workshop to rehearse your pitch)
February 12, 2026
Spark Tank Pitch Event and awards
Eligibility
- Each team must include at least one active member of the Academy of Medical Educators.
- Each team must have at least one learner (student, resident, or fellow).
- Team lead must be a paid CU SOM faculty member.
- Team lead must not have received Rymer funding within the past five years.
Funding
- Up to two teams will be selected
- A maximum of $5,000 will be awarded for one-year projects, supporting:
- Consultant support
- Student stipends
- Equipment & supplies
- Travel for project presentations and dissemination activities
- Awards are expected to be made approximately April 1, 2026
Team Applications
All submissions must be completed via the online application form, accessible with the button below. To prepare, gather the following information before starting the form:
- Team name
- Team members
- Team lead (point of contact)
- Departments represented (check all that apply)
- Academy of Medical Educators members on your team
- Learners on your team (student, resident, fellow, etc.)
- Past Rymer Innovation Award recipients on your team
- Brief description of your innovation (max 200 words)
- Feasibility confirmation and leadership approval for any new curriculum or educational approach (identify approver)
Application forms will be available via the link below during the application window.
Pitch Support
The Office for Faculty Development offers the following resources to help you prepare for Spark Tank and feel ready to present your innovation clearly, confidently, and effectively.
Pitch Lab Workshop
Participate in a hands-on session to refine your presentation skills, practice delivery, and get constructive feedback. Visit the Faculty Development Workshops webpage for more information and to register.
Instructional Design Consultations
Access one-on-one support through the Office for Faculty Development for guidance on your pitch materials, including slide deck review, organization, clarity, and recommendations for improvement. Note: consultants provide advice and feedback—they do not create the materials for you. Visit to schedule a session.
Pitch Event
Panel Judging
Expert judges will evaluate each pitch based on criteria such as team composition, innovation, feasibility, and alignment with CU SOM goals.
Audience Judging
Attendees of the final pitch event will have the opportunity to vote on their favorite presentations. Audience input contributes to recognizing innovative ideas and adds an interactive element to the event.
Award Criteria
On February 12th, team pitches will be judged by an expert panel along the following criteria:
| Category | Criteria |
Problem Approach |
|
People |
|
Product |
|
Potential / Predictability |
|
Purpose |
|
Presentation Quality |
|
