SHRS is a leader among its peers when it comes to developing and translating key technologies that advance innovation in rehabilitation science. 

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How it Works:  

Eligibility :

The SHRS Innovation Challenge is open to faculty, post-doctoral and graduate students, and staff: 

• Working on University of Pittsburgh intellectual property in the School of the Health and Rehabilitation Sciences  
• Interested in learning and participating in commercialization of university technology discoveries. 
  

Students are welcome and encouraged to participate on teams led by a faculty member.   

• The Challenge is done in conjunction with the NSF I-Corps*
  
  If participants have already gone through a previous First Gear Cohort or Short Course for the technology submitted, they are eligible to skip the short course as long as they provde 25 documented customer interviews. 
  
  
• Accepted applicants (finalists) will participate in the NSF I-Corps Short Course (January 9 – 31, 2024)* Tentatively:
  • A 4-week virtual course providing university-based researchers key insights into exploring the market potential of their work while learning entrepreneurial skills.   

• • The course combines self-directed online learning activities with six Zoom-based class meetings (1-2 hours long), and two one-on-one instructor check-ins.
    
    
  • Participants learn to apply “customer discovery” methodology to evaluate the potential for translating their technology innovation from the lab into a successful product and/or service.  

• Three additional “mini courses” covering Market Analysis, Competition, and Pitch Deck will be presented following completion of short course. 
  
  
• Finalists will provide the following collateral: 
  • One-page Marketing Brief (template will be provided) that summarizes the innovation’s value proposition, market opportunity, competitive landscape, technology, stage of development, and IP landscape. 
    
  • Final Opportunity Pitch Deck that tells a compelling story that shows the need for your solution, convinces the judges that solving the problem is worth the effort and that your solution has advantages over any current offerings and addresses the customer’s needs. 
    
  • Final Pitch rehearsals and OIE EIR feedback will be held during the weeks of March 4 and March 11, 2024.  
    
  • The final pitches will take place on March 21, 2024.
    

•  7-10 teams from SHRS programs will be selected. 
• Applicants are limited to a maximum of two applications.  Dual applicants must address unrelated technology opportunities. 
• Upon completion, participants may be eligible to apply for additional funding up to $50,000 through the NSF I-Corps national program. During the National I-Corps, NSF grantees learn to identify valuable product opportunities that can emerge from their innovative ideas and to build a business model using evidence-based lean startup methodology. 

• Learn about the past SHRS Challenge Winners.  
  • 2021 Winners
  • 2020 Winners
    

Winners understand the award is to be used within the University for pre-commercialization and technology validation activities. The award funds will be transferred to a University SHRS account designated by awardee and their faculty sponsor. Award funds must be expended in accordance with University policy and cannot be used for faculty salary or stipend. Line item budgets will be required and must be submitted and approved by SHRS prior to transfer of funds.

• Questions?  Contact Dave Brienza at DBRIENZA@pitt.edu

  • SHRS Program/Lab List:

    o             Audiology

    o             Counseling

    o             Emergency Medicine

    o             Health Information Management/Health Informatics

    o             Nutrition and Dietetics

    o             Physician Assistant Studies

    o             Physical Therapy

    o             Prosthetics and Orthotics

    o             Occupational Therapy

    o             Rehabilitation Technology

    o             Speech-Language Pathology

    o             Sports Medicine/Sports Science/Athletic Training

    Labs:

    •   Human Engineering Research Laboratories (HERL)

    •   Neuromuscular Research Laboratory (NMRL)