Wells Student HealthTech Challenge

2026 Wells Student HealthTech Challenge timeline

Rules and guidelines

1. Pitt undergraduate students, graduate students and postdocs from all Pitt campuses may apply to the Wells Student HealthTech Challenge with a faculty sponsor.
2. Each application must represent a Pitt technology that originated from Pitt research.
3. Past winners of the Wells Student HealthTech Challenge are not eligible to compete. Past applicants who did not win are encouraged to reapply.
4. Applications are submitted through the online application form. Only responses to the required questions are reviewed; additional materials and attachments are not accepted. For team-based ideas, the lead (presenting) student must meet the eligibility requirements above. List all team members’ contact information on one application form.
5. The Innovation Institute is not responsible for technical problems that prevent a submission from being received.
6. A panel of judges reviews entries on innovation, feasibility, market potential and student motivation and dedication.
7. Semi-finalists prepare an elevator pitch and marketing brief and submit a 1-minute video pitch.
8. Finalists are paired with a business mentor to develop a 5- to 7-minute pitch deck and complete a marketing brief for their technology. Finalists may also take part in business and presentation development workshops.
9. Applicants who have completed the Regional NSF I-Corps program (formerly First Gear) should submit their customer interview notes or final presentation so the selection committee can consider that work. Applicants who have not taken part in Regional NSF I-Corps are strongly encouraged to register for an NSF I-Corps short course before the competition.
10. All judges’ decisions are final.
11. Wells Student HealthTech Challenge award funds are used within the University for pre-commercialization and technology validation activities. Funds are transferred to a University account designated by the awardee and their faculty sponsor, must be spent in accordance with University policy, and cannot be used for faculty salary or stipends. The Innovation Institute must approve a line-item budget before funds are transferred.
12. The University will own and protect Pitt intellectual property arising from activities supported by the award. If the University licenses or commercializes that intellectual property, awardees who are inventors, creators or developers will receive a share of proceeds under the University of Pittsburgh Intellectual Property Policy (RI 10).