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Innovation Challenge 2026

INNOVATION CHALLENGE 2026

Celebrating innovators who are leading progress in palliative care.

Will YOU be the International Palliative Care Innovator of 2026? 

The winner will receive a $1,000 CAN cash prize from Canadian Virtual Hospice.

Submission deadline: April 15, 2026 

THE CHALLENGE

Have you developed programs, services, resources, or approaches that have improved hospice and palliative care in your health facility, program, community, country, or beyond?   

SUBMIT YOUR INNOVATION

Six finalists, chosen through a peer-review process, will go head-to-head in a high-energy power hour of innovation on Thursday, October 8, 2026, 12:30 - 2:00 pm.   

Each finalist will have six minutes to convince the voting audience and our panel of eminent palliative care judges that they deserve to be the International Palliative Care Innovator of the Year. Remember: small and simple can be meaningful and impactful! “But don’t AI it” - AI generated presentations are ineligible.  

The use of art, music, images, and video is encouraged. Note: Traditional Powerpoint presentations will be disqualified.   

The winner will be named the “International Palliative Care Innovator for 2026” and receive the $1,000 CAN cash prize from Canadian Virtual Hospice. Trophies will be awarded to the winner, 1st runner-up, and 2nd runner-up.  

TO PARTICIPATE

Submit your innovation using the online form below before midnight GMT on April 15, 2026.   

ELIGIBILITY

  • You work or volunteer in hospice or palliative care anywhere in the world; 

  • Your innovation has improved hospice or palliative care in your health facility, community, country or beyond in some way; 

  • If chosen as a finalist, you will submit a final draft of your presentation by September 15, 2026. 

  • You are available to attend and present at the Innovation Challenge in person on Thursday, October 8, 2026, in Montreal and the McGill International Palliative Care Congress. Early bird registration cost will be available to the 6 finalists.  

OTHER IMPORTANT DATES

  • June 30, 2026: Notification of the six finalists; 

  • October 8, 2026: Finalists compete in the Innovation Challenge. 

SUBMIT YOUR INNOVATION