Call for Pitches: AI + Health Care Idea Tank
research@BSPH, the Innovation Translation Council (ITC), and the Hopkins Business of Health Initiative (HBHI) are now accepting applications for the very first AI + Health Care Idea Tank through Monday, April 13, 2026.
Do you have an AI idea that could help address a public health problem?
Students, faculty, and staff across Johns Hopkins University are welcome to apply individually or as teams. Student–faculty collaborations and cross-disciplinary ideas are especially welcome.
We invite you to submit a pitch deck for presentation at the AI + Health Care Idea Tank, to be held on Friday, May 8 at 1:30 PM at Mustang Alley in Baltimore, MD. The session will follow the HBHI luncheon and take place before the bowling social.
Ideas may be at an early stage. Prototypes, companies, datasets, or funding are not required. Concepts that are still forming or seeking collaborators across disciplines are encouraged.
To help participants connect and form teams, we have created a Slack channel where you can share ideas, find collaborators, and ask questions. You are welcome to join even if your idea is still forming, and early participants will help shape the collaborations that emerge from the Idea Tank.
Award details
Three contestants will receive prizes ranging from $250–$1,000 to support further exploration of their idea. Awards are sponsored by the Johns Hopkins Data Science and AI Institute (DSAI).
Contestant criteria
Contestants will be selected based on the following factors:
Their idea combines elements of public health and artificial intelligence to address a current problem.
Their idea promotes an innovative, scalable, and sustainable solution capable of achieving real-world impact.
Requirement
Contestants must be available to present in-person at Mustang Alley in Baltimore, MD on May 8, 2026 at 1:30 PM.
Pitch deck details
Pitch decks should contain 5 slides (plus a cover slide) and will be presented in a 5-minute pitch.
Each slide should contain no more than three bullets or one diagram.
Cover slide: Contestant name, title, and school affiliation, and name of idea
Need – What problem in public health is unsolved
On the slide: One sentence describing the unmet problem, who is affected, and the scale of the issue.
In the presentation: Briefly illustrate why this problem matters and why existing approaches have not solved it.
Insight – What you discovered that others missed
On the slide: One key observation explaining the root cause or overlooked factor behind the problem.
In the presentation: Explain how this insight changes how the problem should be addressed.
Solution – Your approach
On the slide: A simple description of the proposed solution and its key advantage. Keep it non-confidential with no proprietary information.
In the presentation: Explain how the solution works, why it improves on current approaches, and the team or collaborators involved.
Impact – Who benefits and why it matters
On the slide: Who benefits from the solution and the potential scale of health, societal, or economic impact.
In the presentation: Describe how adoption of this solution could improve outcomes or systems.
Next Proof – Where could this idea be in 6 months
On the slide: One milestone that could move the idea forward through collaboration, validation, or early testing.
In the presentation: Describe the key learning or validation that could be achieved in six months.
How to submit a pitch deck
Download your PowerPoint pitch deck as a .pdf and name the file: “LastName_FirstName_ITCAIPitchDeckSubmission”
Send the .pdf file to BSPH.research@jh.edu by Monday, April 13, 2026.
In the email, please include the following:
“I confirm I am available to present in-person at Mustang Alley in Baltimore, MD on May 8, 2026 at 1:30 PM.”
Any relevant information, such as links, about your idea that may be beneficial for our team to understand the problem and your work so far.
Five contestants will be notified of their selection in late April. Please reach out to BSPH.research@jh.edu with any questions.