SPARK Calgary is a one-year program supporting evidence-based digital health innovations within the University of Calgary and other local academic institutions. SPARK is based within W21C Research & Innovation Centre and supported by Innovate Calgary. The program is directed by Dr. Scott Kraft, MD, and managed by Nicola Quiggin. It is currently being conducted remotely, over Zoom.
The goal of SPARK is to advance evidence-based digital health innovations to increase their chance of impact for patients in clinical and community settings. We respect that each participant’s pathway and the barriers they face in the innovation ecosystem are unique.
Requirements
Novel approach to an unmet medical need using a digital health solution
- Either: Led by faculty, post-docs, or graduate students based at a local post-secondary institution, or led by a practicing clinician
- Evidence-backed innovation; supported by existing research, customer discovery, technology validation
- You have a clear development plan and end-goal in mind
- You have a history of demonstrated commitment to your project. See the selection criteria for a list of some recommended pre-SPARK programs
- Priority is given to innovations that specifically seek to benefit equity-deserving populations
Benefits
Advise
- Access to group mentorship from digital health and industry advisors through quarterly project update presentations
- Coaching meetings 1-2 times per month with the SPARK program team
Educate
- Curated learning opportunities from the innovation ecosystem specific to your needs
- Accountability to follow your self-led learning plan with a learning journal
Connect
- In-kind resources to develop your project, including W21C research credits to access testing, feedback, and evaluation services for your innovation
- Facilitate connections with people, resources, funding, and programs in the local innovation ecosystem and the SPARK Global network to help you on your journey
Timeline
- Application Deadline: February 20th 2022
- Interview take place: March 7-8, 2022
- Accepted teams onboarded to Program: March 28, 2022
- Invitations to interview distributed: March 1-4, 2022
- Notice of Final Decisions: March 21, 2022
For More Information: SPARK Calgary 2022 Cohort