Discovery Critical Care Innovation Incubator Request for Pediatric Innovation Posters

Event: SCCM Discovery Critical Care Innovation Incubator (DC2I2)  

Event Location: McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois 

RFP Submission Deadline: February 12, 2026 at 11:59 pm CDT  

Event Description: The SCCM Discovery Critical Care Innovation Incubator is a groundbreaking initiative designed to spark innovation that produces impactful change in critical care. This day-long event will foster collaboration between leading minds from diverse disciplines, all focused on advancing critical care. Whether you're an entrepreneur in the trenches or a budding clinician-innovator, this initiative offers educational sessions, workshops, and inspiring speakers to help you navigate the innovation landscape. Learn about the path from idea to implementation, including the challenges of bridging the gap between clinical needs and commercialized solutions. Gain feedback and resources to support your innovation or current venture. Openly engage with a distinguished gathering of renowned clinicians, researchers, industry leaders, government, and investors. Explore the latest breakthroughs transforming Pharma and MedTech industries, including big data and the future of AI in critical care. Network, share ideas, find solutions to common barriers, and build powerful new partnerships to accelerate innovation from concept to bedside.     

Event: SCCM Discovery Critical Care Innovation Incubator 

Event Location: McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois 

Submission Deadline: February 12, 2026 at 11:59 pm CDT 

General Criteria: 

We welcome active projects at any stage of development that aim to be commercialized to improve pediatric critical care across all settings. Please note: If you have already applied to the Poster and Pitch Award RFA for the Critical Care Innovation Incubator and your project has a pediatric focus, you do not need to submit an additional application. If your poster is selected to be part of the event, it will automatically be considered for this award. 

Event Description: The Pediatric Innovation Award of the SCCM Discovery Critical Care Innovation Incubator is dedicated to advancing innovation in pediatric critical care. This focused initiative invites clinicians, researchers, entrepreneurs, and innovators to present solutions that address the unique challenges faced by critically ill or injured children.  

Call for Proposals: We invite proposals for posters that showcase innovative pediatric-focused solutions aimed at transforming care for critically ill or injured children, including neonatal intensive care (NICU), pediatric critical care (PICU), and pediatric emergency medicine. Selected presenters must be registered for the event. This pediatric track is proudly sponsored by the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Department of Nursing and the Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute Innovate2Impact Program. 

Proposal Details: 

Topics: Innovations that are scalable, address unmet needs in neonatal/pediatric critical care, and demonstrate potential for real-world impact. 

Poster Format: Selected posters will be displayed the day of the event. 

Poster Benefits: Visibility among pediatric stakeholders. The highest-rated pediatric poster will receive $3,000. 

Selection Criteria: 

- Relevance to pediatric critical care innovation 

- Potential impact on pediatric patient outcomes 

- Novelty and originality 

- Feasibility and scalability 

Submission Requirements: 

Your poster proposal should address: 

 1. Problem Definition (Clinical Need & Impact)  

• Clarity and significance of the critical care problem  

• Evidence of unmet need (clinical burden, workflow inefficiencies, cost, mortality, etc.)  

2. Solution: What You Are Building  

• Clear description of the innovation (device, digital tool, AI model, workflow solution, etc.)  

• How the solution meaningfully addresses the stated problem  

• Why it is better than current tools or practices  

3. Market Opportunity (TAM/SAM/Initial Customer)  

• Total Addressable Market (TAM) and Serviceable Addressable Market (SAM)  

• Who pays for it (hospitals, payers, device companies, licensing partners)  

• Clear articulation of the customer and use case  

4. Clinical & Technical Validation  

• Existing evidence, prototypes, early data, or proof-of-concept  

• Realistic plan for generating pilot/early clinical data  

5. Business & Regulatory Strategy  

• Regulatory classification (device class, SaMD, etc.)  

• Pathway for approval, integration, or deployment  

• Preliminary business model (subscription, licensing, hardware + disposables, etc.)  

6. Competition & Differentiation  

• Understanding of existing alternatives  

• Clear explanation of what makes your solution unique and meaningfully superior  

7. Team & Execution Plan  

• Why your team is positioned to succeed  

• Technical, clinical, or business expertise  

• Advisors, collaborators, or partnerships that support progress he need and potential impact in pediatric care 

Submit your proposal February 12, 2026 at 11:59 pm CDT.