Amgen Pitch

The Amgen pitch competition at the School of Biomedical Engineering is an event that aims to showcase and promote innovation in the field of biotechnology, life sciences and biomedical engineering. The purpose of the competition is to provide a platform for students and researchers to present their unique and innovative ideas for solutions or technologies that can address real-world problems in the field.

The competition is designed to encourage students to develop their skills in scientific research, problem-solving, and communication, as well as to foster collaboration and networking opportunities with industry professionals and academics. The competition aims to inspire and motivate the next generation of leaders in biomedical engineering and support the development of new ideas and technologies.

1. The competition is open to all graduate students, research associates and postdoctoral fellows at the School of Biomedical Engineering

2. Each team must consist of two members, with at least one member being a graduate or undergraduate student

3. Each team can submit only one application for the competition

4. The top six applications will be invited to pitch their ideas to a panel of judges

5. Both participants must participate in pitching their idea in person at the 6th Annual Symposium on June 4th, 2024

6. Participants must submit a brief description (500 words) of their research idea and its potential to transform the field of healthcare. Please note the emphasis of this competition is the generation of novel, creative ideas. Please submit an idea that is not currently being researched or developed in your lab

7. Participants must submit a fund utilization plan that details your teams commitment to using the prize funds (250 words max) and how you plan to use the prize money. Include:

• Proposed Use: Outline specific conferences, workshops, or activities you plan to attend, aligning with your project goals.

• Utilization Timeline: Provide a timeline for fund usage, with all funds to be utilized by July 2025.

Teams are asked to submit a brief description (500 words, not including the list of references) of their research idea and its potential to transform the field of healthcare. Please note the emphasis of this competition is the generation of novel, creative ideas. Please submit an idea that is not currently being researched or developed in your lab.

Please consider the following guidelines when preparing your application:

1. Originality (20%): The application should clearly state the originality of the idea, and demonstrate that it is not currently being researched in the lab or elsewhere. This may involve a brief literature review or patent search to verify that the idea is novel.

2. Relevance and Feasibility (40%): The idea must demonstrate the relevance to the field of biomedical engineering and how it has the potential to advance healthcare and improve patient outcomes. The applicants should also ensure that the idea can be implemented at the current state of science and not contingent upon future innovations.

3. Clarity (20%): The idea must be clear and concise, outlining the key components of the idea, its objectives, and its potential impact. It should also describe any challenges or limitations that may need to be addressed.

4. Presentation Skills (20%): The pitch should be well-organized and effectively communicated, with clear and concise language.

The selection process will consist of two rounds. In the first round, all eligible applications will be reviewed and scored by our panel of judges. The applications will be evaluated based on the criteria outlined above. The top six applications with the highest scores will be selected as finalists.

In the second round, the finalists will be invited to present their pitches to the judging panel in-person during SBME’s 6th Annual Symposium on June 4th, 2024.

Each team will have four minutes to present their idea to the judging panel and four minutes to answer judges’ questions.

1. Participants must submit their applications by May 13th, 2024.

2. The judging panel will review the applications and select the top six finalists by May 20th, 2024.

3. The top six finalists will be invited to pitch their ideas at the 6th Annual Symposium on June 4th, 2024.

4. Each team will have four minutes to pitch their idea, followed by four minutes of panel questions.

5. The winners will be announced at the end of the symposium.

Judging Panel

1. The judging panel will consist of representatives from Amgen, the School of Biomedical Engineering, and industry leaders with expertise in the field of biotechnology, life sciences or biomedical engineering.

2. The judging process will involve two rounds of evaluation. In the first round, the judging panel will review all submissions and select the top 6 pitches based on the evaluation criteria. In the second round, the top 6 finalists will pitch their idea live to the judging panel, who will select the top 3 winning teams based on the same evaluation criteria.

For those top six applicants invited to present their 4-minute pitch, here are some general guidelines to keep in mind:

1. Begin with a clear statement of the originality of the idea.

2. Highlight the relevance of your idea to the field of biomedical engineering and healthcare, and how it has the potential to improve patient outcomes.

3. Present your idea clearly and concisely, outlining the key components, objectives, and potential impact. Be sure to address any challenges or limitations that may need to be addressed.

4. Use effective presentation skills, including clear and concise language, visuals, and storytelling techniques, to effectively communicate your idea to the judges.

5. Highlight the experience and qualifications of your team, including your expertise in the relevant field and any relevant experience.

6. Use a maximum of five slides in your presentation, including the title slide

Remember, you only have 4 minutes to make your pitch, so it’s important to prioritize the most important and impactful aspects of your idea. The key to a successful pitch is to be clear, concise, and compelling.

The winning team will receive $5000, the second-place team will receive $3000, and the third-place team will receive $1000. The award money must be used to cover the expenses of attending national or international conferences chosen by the winners and related to their field of research

• Call for Applications: April 22, 2024

• Applications Close: May 13, 2024

• Finalists Notified: May 20, 2024

• Pitch & Award Ceremony: June 4, 2024

• Utilization of Funds Deadline: July 2025

Applications close May 13, 2024