CTIP Announces Annual Health Equity FlexGrants, a Limited Grant Opportunity to Support Pediatric Medical Device Innovators Addressing Health Inequities Using their Technology

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - January 16, 2023 - To continue to leverage our platform to shine a light on health inequity within pediatrics medtech, The West Coast Consortium for Technology & Innovation in Pediatrics (CTIP) is announcing our 2023 Annual Health Equity FlexGrants, a limited grant opportunity. Selected pediatric medical device innovators will be awarded $10,000 grants to support activities that apply or adapt their existing medical device to help address health inequities in children. Medical devices with adult indications that are expanding or wish to expand their clinical indication to pediatrics are welcome to apply. The CDC defines Health Equity as “the state in which everyone has a fair and just opportunity to attain their highest level of health."

The proposed solution can focus on any factor that impacts health equity, including but not limited to:

  1. Social determinants of health, including race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, built environment, education, employment status, etc.
  2. Disease states that disproportionately impact underserved communities
  3. Business models that ensure equitable access to and distribution of the technology

There are several pediatric MedTech companies within the CTIP portfolio that address these factors. Leveraging CTIP’s funding, ecosystem and clinical expertise can enable these devices to progress from concept to commercialization. The real impact of health inequities on patients are experienced daily. Technology has an important role to play in addressing these barriers and improving the health outcomes of underserved communities. There are many ways that medical device innovators can begin to tackle health inequities, whether it's through their disease focus, their business model, or the care they enable; innovators are encouraged to think broadly about how their technology can make an impact. CTIP invests capital and resources to foster diversity on both sides: in the solutions -- the healthcare technologies themselves -- and in the founding teams -- the talent. 

Proposals will be evaluated on the following criteria:

  • Clear definition of the health inequity(ies) your solution proposes to address
  • How your solution will address pediatric health inequity(ies)
  • Scientific, technical, engineering merit
  • Clinical merit
  • Feasibility of achieving stated goals with requested funding
  • Sustainability of both the proposed solution and the team

All companies must meet CTIP's minimum criteria to receive support:

1.   Medical device that has a pediatric application as defined by the FDA, 0 to 21 years of age

2.   Medical device regulated by the FDA

3.   Feasible for CTIP to support

4.   US-based company

 

CTIP is accepting 2023 Health Equity FlexGrant submissions until 11:59 pm PST on Friday, February 10th, 2023. Visit FlexGrant on www.westcoastctip.org to apply.

For more updates from CTIP about pediatric MedTech follow us @westcoastctip on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram, Consortium for Technology & Innovation in Pediatrics on LinkedIn, and the web at www.westcoastctip.org

The West Coast Consortium for Technology & Innovation in Pediatrics (CTIP) is an FDA-funded pediatric MedTech accelerator centered at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Our goal is to facilitate the development, production, and distribution of pediatric medical devices by identifying companies working in the space and providing advice, networking, and direct and indirect financial support on the road to commercialization.

Contact us at info@westcoastctip.org