Declaration of Innovation FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
General Information
The Declaration of Innovation is a live, idea pitch session at Educating Leaders 2027, the AACOM Annual Conference (EL27), designed to spotlight bold, creative solutions to challenges and opportunities in osteopathic medical education (OME).
Submissions can take the form of a brief (500 words or less) summary of the idea, the problem it solves, and the expected impact, or a 90 second video describing the project, the problem and the impact. This is your first chance to pitch your innovation!
Participants will submit their innovative ideas through an online submission portal. A review committee will select approximately 16-20 semifinalists, whose ideas will be grouped by theme into four breakout sessions at EL27. In each breakout session, semifinalists will pitch their ideas to conference attendees, who will select one finalist to advance to the main stage.
The four finalists will then pitch their ideas live on the EL27 main stage before the full conference audience. The winner will be determined in real time by audience vote and will receive a $30,000 prize to bring their idea to life. Each of the three runners-up will receive $5,000 to help turn their ideas into action.
Have a bold idea that could move OME forward? We want to hear it.
The competition is open to faculty, administrators, students and collaborators in the osteopathic medical education community who are affiliated with an AACOM member college of osteopathic medicine (COM). Previous awardees of AACOM grants are eligible to apply. We are looking for early start ideas or ideas that need seed funding to get off the ground.
Innovations that have previously received funding of more than $10,000 (from any source or combination of sources) will not be considered.
Purpose and Goals
While all innovative ideas are welcome, submissions are especially encouraged in these areas:
Nutrition in clinical practice
Improving and expanding community-based rotation sites
Technology in teaching and assessment
The human dimension in whole-person care
Submission Process
Submit your idea through the online submission portal by November 13, 2026.
If selected as a semifinalist, you must register to attend EL27 to pitch your idea in person at EL27.
You’ll need:
Contact details and institutional affiliation
A two-sentence summary (up to 400 characters) of your idea
Either a 90-second video pitch (YouTube/Vimeo link) OR a written essay (up to 3,500 characters or 500 words)
Your submission can be a concept, but preference may be given to ideas that provide enough detail and evidence to demonstrate how the idea could be implemented and its potential impact on osteopathic medical education.
Ideas do not need to have been implemented or proven to be successful. However, an idea that has already received more than $10,000 in funding from any source (or combination of sources) is not eligible.
In short: We’re looking for innovative ideas with potential—not necessarily finished products or programs.
Review and Selection Process
AACOM’s review committee will:
Screen and categorize submissions into four themes.
Select top ideas as semifinalists in each of four themes.
Notify applicants with decisions by early January 2027.
Invite semifinalists to a virtual Pitch Clinic Session in February 2027 for coaching and feedback.
There are two rounds:
Round 1: Revolutionize Your Thinking
Semifinalists present their pitch in their themed breakout room in 5 minutes, followed by 5 minutes of Q&A.
Attendees vote to select one winner per breakout room to advance to the final round.
Final Round: We, The Innovators
Four finalists present on the mainstage before the live audience from all breakout rooms.
Attendees vote to determine the grand prize winner.
Awards and Recognition
$30,000 Grand Prize — Overall winner
$5,000 Prizes — Each runner up
All prize money is taxable, as required by law, to the receiving institution.