AI MedTech Match Grand Challenge

$100,000 in funding available to unique Health AI research proposals for improving patient care.

What is the AI MedTech Match Grand Challenge?

A digital illustration showing two hands exchanging a blue and yellow gear, a brain, and a light bulb with a yellow background. Various technology symbols and AI-related equipment are around the hands.

Leveraging Health AI Research To Improve Patient Care

AI & Digital Health Innovation and e-HAIL are partnering with the Michigan Medicine Department of Surgery and the Rogel Cancer Center to launch the inaugural AI MedTech Match Grand Challenge, a competition–style program designed to pair clinical researchers with AI researchers. U-M has some of the greatest AI and clinical expertise in the world - we’re pulling them together to develop impactful research ideas!

The Mission of the Grand Challenge

We are matching clinical researchers with AI researchers and funding one year projects to:

  1. Advance health AI research ideas that will improve patient care

  2. Support the applications of extramural research grants at the conclusion of the projects

How it Works

Click each stage below to see more information about that stage.

Announcement for clinical idea submission encouraging Michigan Medicine faculty to submit a short video presentation of their research idea.

STAGE 1

Due 12/19/2025

Icon of a hand pointing to a circle with a human figure, surrounded by two other human figures, on a yellow background. Below the icon, it reads 'AI Faculty Match', with a description about AI faculty reviewing videos to find partners for Rogel Cancer or Surgery faculty members.

STAGE 2

Due 2/6/2026

Icon of a document and a thumbs-up within a yellow circle, with text about project proposals and review for a competition

STAGE 3

Due 3/2/2026

Graphic promoting a Pitch Day event via Zoom with an illustration of a computer screen showing a virtual meeting with three participants and a chat bubble.

STAGE 4

4/8/2026

Process in Detail

Stage 1 - Clinical Idea Submission (Due 12/19/2025)

Interested Michigan Medicine faculty from the Department of Surgery and the Rogel Cancer Center submit a short (up to 5-minutes) video presenting a health AI research idea.

  • This stage occurs before AI faculty have been engaged

  • The video presentation must include:

    • An overview of the problem you are trying to solve

    • How solving the problem will improve patient care

    • What kinds of data are available and how much

    • Where you think AI or machine learning is needed

    • A description what will be completed by the end of the year (knowing the goal is to submit a large grant application at the conclusion of the project).

  • Eligibility

    • All Rogel Cancer Center faculty members are eligible to submit ideas to advance cancer research

    • All Department of Surgery faculty members are eligible to submit ideas to advance research for improving the surgical treatment and care of patients

Stage 2 - AI Faculty Match (Completed by 2/6/2026)

AI faculty experts will review the videos and indicate which clinical faculty they would be interested in partnering with.

  • AI faculty will have the opportunity to watch the videos at any time during a two-week period after submissions

  • AI faculty will fill out a short survey to indicate which project(s) are of most interest to them

  • Clinical faculty will be provided with a list of AI faculty interested in collaborating on the project

  • If multiple AI faculty are interested in the same project, the clinical faculty will meet with AI faculty and determine the best fit to collaborate on the project

  • All interested AI faculty will be notified whether or not they matched with a clinical researcher

  • Once matched, the AI faculty and clinical faculty will work as a team to define and present their proposal

Stage 3 - Project Proposals (Due 3/2/26) and Review (Due 3/11/26)

Teams submit 2-3 page proposals for their project in Competition Space. A panel of leaders from Michigan Medicine, the College of Engineering, and the School of Public Health will review and rate each proposal based on the outlined criteria. Up to 6 projects will advance to Pitch Day.

  • Each team must have at least one AI faculty and one clinical faculty

  • A budget must be provided with the proposal

  • Each team that applies will receive written feedback from the Review Team

  • The project must be completed within one year and will have semi-annual milestones that must be completed

  • This year should be spent developing a proof-of-concept for an external grant application

Stage 4 - Pitch Day (April 8, 2026)

The top scoring teams will pitch to the “Wolverine Den” panel, which will rate each project after the presentation. Two teams (one from each clinical area) will be awarded funding.

  • The Wolverine Den will discuss and rate projects after the presenters have left the Zoom

  • All scores will be tallied by the Wolverine Den at the conclusion of Pitch Day

Award Announcements and Funding (April 11, 2026)

The winners of the competition will be announced within 3 business days after Pitch Day.

  • All teams that present will be provided written feedback from the Wolverine Den

  • Winners will receive funding within 2 weeks after Pitch Day

Project Completion

All projects must be completed within one year

  • AI&Digital Health Innovation Administrators will check in on milestone updates semi-annually

  • After a project is completed, it is expected that teams will be ready to apply for an external grant