T2D SPARK INNOVATION CHALLENGE 2024

Type 2 Diabetes Spark Innovation Challenge 2024 on October 9th in Kelowna, British Columbia

TYPE 2 DIABETES SPARK INNOVATION CHALLENGE 2024

The University of British Columbia's BC Diabetes Research Network is happy to welcome you to our Type 2 Diabetes Spark Innovation Challenge website. Here you will find more information about the funding competition, you can register to attend the special event and submit your funding proposal. This website will be our digital event program and how we will communicate with attendees.

EVENT PROGRAM

We look forward to hosting you on October 9 at our live event at the KELOWNA INNOVATION CENTRE. Registration required to attend. 19+ event

6:30 Networking Reception

Light refreshments and beverages provided. Meet UBC researchers and graduate students conducting diabetes research in BC.

7:30-8:30 Innovation Challenge

Similar to CBC "Dragon's Den" the a group of innovators will present their ideas to improve the lives of people living with type 2 diabetes to a panel of judges.

8:30-8:45 Judges Deliberate

Our judges will decide which proposals will receive funding.

9:00 Award Announcements

SPARK INNOVATION

SPARK COLLABORATION

SPARK CHANGE

Some of our biggest challenges don’t always require the biggest solutions. They require a new approach, a smart solution or an innovative collaboration.

Presented by the University of British Columbia's BC Diabetes Research Network, Interior Health and with support from Boehringer Ingelheim (BI) the Type 2 Diabetes Spark Innovation Challenge 2024 aims to foster innovation and knowledge translation in type 2 diabetes.

The purpose of T2D Spark Innovation Challenge is to support collaborative partnerships between health care practitioners, industry, university researchers, and community organizations.

Funding is available for new and emerging projects that address the areas of knowledge translation and optimization of care among patients living with type 2 diabetes in British Columbia.

This competition encourages innovative thinking to propose solutions that will not only address the gaps in optimizing care for patients but also include planetary health improvements, research and sustainability.

We seek solutions from innovators and entrepreneurs in digital, technology or industry space, health care providers and researchers with the goal to improve outcomes for those living with or affected by type 2 diabetes.

Competition Details

Do you have an idea with potential to spark change for British Columbians living with type 2 diabetes?

What is type 2 diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition characterized by high blood sugar resulting from deficiencies in the production and action of the hormone insulin. Physical inactivity, excess body weight, and poor dietary habits are major risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes disproportionately affects Indigenous peoples, persons of Southeast Asian descent, and individuals of low socioeconomic status. High blood sugars can increase the risk of other health conditions such as heart disease, neuropathy, eye and kidney disease.

Type 2 Diabetes Innovation Challenge

Funding Available: $15,000

T2D Spark aims to foster innovation in type 2 diabetes by supporting partnerships between university researchers, healthcare practitioners, industry, and/or community organizations with innovative ideas and knowledge translation activities for people living with type 2 diabetes.

Innovative ideas related to type 2 diabetes might include, but are certainly not limited to; i) community healthy living programs; ii) healthy eating strategies; iii) novel technologies to track, monitor, or change type 2 diabetes metrics or risk factors; iv) screening initiatives; v) tailored exercise programs; vi) partnered or interdisciplinary healthcare strategies; and many more.

The Details:

Funding is available for new and emerging projects to address specific challenges, barriers and or inequities among patients living with or affected by type 2 diabetes. Proposals will be reviewed for innovation, relevance to technology and health outcomes, and feasibility. While each entry can be for one individual or organization, we seek solutions including a diverse partnership including those living with or affected by type 2 diabetes, innovators and entrepreneurs in digital, technology or industry space, health care providers and researchers.

Successful proposals have been invited to pitch their idea at a live event on October 9th in Kelowna.

The Competition:

On October 9th UBC will host a live event in Kelowna, BC at the Innovation Centre in downtown Kelowna. The event format is similar to a CBC “Dragon’s Den”. Finalists will present their pitch to a panel of judges. Winners will be announced at the community event.

Award funds must be spent within one year and teams are required to submit a final report outlining the achievement of key deliverables upon completion.

Applications are now closed.

Our Sponsors

This event is made possible by the generous support of our partners: Boehringer Ingelheim Canada's Health Care Solutions & Partnerships - BC, the Interior Health Authority and the University of British Columbia's Grants for Catalyzing Research Clusters