Declaration of Innovation

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Description

This year’s Educating Leaders 2027, the AACOM Annual Conference, will culminate in the Declaration of Innovation, a morning of competitive sessions on Friday, April 16, 2027.

  • Selected semifinalists will present in the "Revolutionize Your Thinking" session, which will consist of four breakout rooms organized by pitch theme.
  • 4-5 semifinalists will compete in each breakout room. The audience in each breakout room will vote to determine a finalist to proceed to our "We, The Innovators" main stage.
  • The finalists will present their pitches to the audience of conference attendees and the grand prize winner will be determined by audience popular vote.
  • All four finalists will receive prize money to bring their idea to life, and the winning pitch will receive a prize up to $30,000* to support its implementation.

To participate, pitch your big idea to us by Friday, November 13, 2026, using this form. You may submit multiple pitches, but AACOM's review committee will only select one idea per person.

*To the winner's institution.

Rules

  • Faculty members (including adjunct faculty and contracted preceptors), staff and students affiliated with an AACOM-member college of osteopathic medicine are eligible to apply.
  • Applicants agree that all submissions may be used by AACOM in marketing, publications and other communication. All applicants give AACOM permission to use their name, images, videos and any appearance at Educating Leaders in AACOM communications.
  • If selected for a “Revolutionize Your Thinking” breakout session, they will register for and attend Educating Leaders 2027 in Philadelphia and be available to present in person on April 16, 2027.
  • Individuals submitting an idea, whether independently or on behalf of a team, must own or share ownership of all intellectual property included in the submission.
  • Previous awardees of AACOM grants are eligible to apply. Ideas that have received funding of more than $10,000 will not be considered.
  • Prize money will be awarded to the institution affiliated with the winning idea.