NIH Blueprint Medtech Pathways Pilot Program 

Click to apply: CoLab application 

The NIH Blueprint Medtech Pathways pilot program is an immersive 12-week traineeship intended to educate and cultivate aspiring/early-stage innovators from groups historically underrepresented in biotech who are interested in the commercialization of neurotechnologies. The program will provide a unique educational experience tailored to neurotechnology and leverage resources from the NIH Blueprint Medtech program to provide guided hands-on experience, on-call mentorship, and clinical and technical networks for solution validation. The Pathways pilot aims to promote inclusive innovation, reduce barriers to commercialization and provide a pipeline to the broader NIH Blueprint Medtech ecosystem. 

Program Participants 

“Aspiring Innovators”: Graduate students, post-docs, medical fellows & residents, and young faculty with an early-stage neurotechnology device idea for development who have inadequate resources or knowledge of translation. Innovators should have an interest in a career path in medical device development to address nervous system disorders, especially those disproportionately affecting traditionally under-represented communities. Six to ten applicants will be selected on a competitive basis for the Pathways pilot program. This program is free of charge for all accepted innovators. 

Program Objectives 

• Increase Diversity: Expand the Blueprint Medtech program’s innovation community to include aspiring innovators from traditionally under-represented groups. 

• Enhance Knowledge: Increase participant understanding of the innovation process for neurotechnology medical device design and development. 

• Advance Innovations: Advance early-stage innovation ideas into actionable next steps, such as building a team, or developing a plan for continued funding support through the Blueprint Medtech program or other sources. 

• Build a Network: Develop a peer network of aspiring innovators and mentors who can serve as ambassadors and build a community of traditionally under-represented groups in neurotechnology. 

Program Design 

Crash course in translation and commercialization (6 weeks)   

• Two days in person session introducing foundational principles of medical device innovation and translation using the Cimit’s GAITS framework (Monday, January 27-Tuesday, January 28). Travel support is available.
• Five weeks of topical webinars/lectures and independent work (Tuesdays from 4-5, February 4- March 4) 

Individual research and application of lessons learned (concurrent), including: 

1. Mentoring
2. Access to customized resources
3. NIH grant-writing
4. Clinical trial design
5. Hands-on experience 

Capstone project planning and presentation (2 weeks) 

• A final presentation of their capstone project or alternatively, a topical analysis of their technology.  

• Culminating in a competitive in-person award process with peer and mentor feedback.  

In-person graduation and award ceremony on last day of course (Friday, April 18) 

Conclusion 

The Blueprint MedTech Pathways pilot program is designed to provide a comprehensive and inclusive approach to fostering innovation among traditionally under-represented groups in medical device technology development for disorders of the nervous system.  

By leveraging existing resources, providing hands-on experience, and fostering a supportive community, the program aims to equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to advance their innovative ideas into commercially viable, clinically focused solutions.  

The program’s success will be measured through knowledge enhancement, idea advancement, network building and participant satisfaction. 

Application deadline: December 16, 2024.   

Click to apply: CoLab application 

For more information/questions: send your email to Dr. Kebreten Manaye kmanaye@howard.edu

Funded by the NIH Blueprint Medtech Program under grant numbers Neurotech Harbor: U54EB033664 and Cimit’s CINTA: U54EB033650.