SOME Innovation in Medical Education Awards

Introduction

The SOME Innovation in Medical Education Awards celebrate groundbreaking contributions that enhance osteopathic medical education. Each year, two $1,000 awards are presented to SOME members whose innovative projects have significantly impacted their institutions.

Winners are selected through a peer-review process and are nationally recognized for their achievements. Beginning in 2026, the program will feature a single award category—Innovation in Osteopathic Medical Education—encompassing the wide range of creative practices that advance teaching, learning, and leadership across the osteopathic medical education continuum.

Previous Awardees

Innovation in Osteopathic Medical Education Award

This award recognizes exceptional innovation that strengthens any aspect of osteopathic medical education. Submissions may address initiatives that enhance teaching, learning, assessment, or leadership.

Areas of interest include, but are not limited to: osteopathic principles and practice, biomedical science, clinical education, simulation, interprofessional education, assessment, transition to residency, graduate medical education, faculty development, admissions, and leadership and administration.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must be members of SOME from pre-accredited or accredited Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (COMs) in the United States.

• Members of the SOME Steering Committee are ineligible.

Application Process

We are seeking proposals that showcase innovative approaches tailored to the unique needs of osteopathic medical educators and learners. Projects are evaluated for clarity of innovation, originality and creativity, evidence-based foundation, outcomes, impact and value, and scalability or sustainability.

Successful submissions will:

• Clearly define the purpose and audience.

• Incorporate diverse and emerging sources of information.

• Present creative and unique ideas.

• Demonstrate practical educational value with feasible solutions to real-world challenges.

Download the SOME Innovation Award Rubric 2026 (PDF)

• Reviewers will use this rubric to assess submissions based on clarity, originality, evidence, outcomes, impact, and scalability.
  

How to Apply

• File format: Word or PDF

• Length: Submissions should be no more than 1,000-1,200 words (approximately 6,000-7,000 characters with spaces) and must include the following information:

  • Title of Innovation – A clear, descriptive title that reflects the focus of your project.

  • Name(s) of Submitter(s) – Include credentials and institutional affiliation(s).

  • Purpose and Relevance – Briefly describe the educational need or problem your innovation addresses and its relevance to osteopathic medical education.

  • Description of the Innovation – Explain the approach, design, and implementation. Highlight what makes it original, creative, or distinctive.

  • Evidence-Based Foundation – Summarize the research, theory, or best practices that informed your innovation.

  • Outcomes – Describe the results achieved or outline your plan for evaluating effectiveness. Include qualitative or quantitative evidence when available.

  • Impact and Value – Explain how your innovation benefits learners, faculty, or programs, and contributes to advancing osteopathic medical education.

  • Scalability and Sustainability – Describe how the innovation can be maintained, adapted, or expanded beyond its initial setting.

  • Upload Supporting Evidence (Optional)
    Applicants may upload one file that provides additional evidence of the innovation’s effectiveness. This may include outcome data, assessment results, or a brief letter of support from participants, users, or educational administrators familiar with the innovation.

Timeline

• The 2026 submission cycle opens January 6, 2026, and closes February 20, 2026.

• Award notifications will be made in May 2026

About SOME

The Society of Osteopathic Medical Educators (SOME) is an inclusive community of educators, including faculty and staff, dedicated to planning and delivering osteopathic medical education across the full continuum of learning.