The 2026 Kahn Grand Challenge begins on February 11!

ANN ARBOR - The Max Harry Weil Institute for Critical Care Research and Innovation at the University of Michigan has opened registration for its 2026 Kahn Pediatric Critical Care Grand Challenge.

Hosted by the Weil Institute through the support of philanthropist Mark Kahn, the Kahn Grand Challenge supports high-risk, high-reward research and innovations targeting gaps in the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of critically ill and injured children. 

About the Kahn Grand Challenge

Since its launch in 2023, the Kahn Grand Challenge has empowered 12 multidisciplinary teams developing novel solutions ranging from a method of evaluating lung injury in children using exhaled breath, to an easier-to-use face mask capable of automatically resizing itself to ensure a perfect seal on every patient.

The Grand Challenge process takes place over multiple weeks, beginning with an informational kickoff event followed by two rounds of proposal submissions. Teams that pass the second round of submissions are then invited to pitch their projects before a panel of field and industry experts at the Kahn Grand Challenge "Wolverine Den." 

At every stage, participating teams have access to valuable feedback from field and industry experts, and specialists in proposal development and product commercialization, which they can then apply to improve their work for the Grand Challenge, as well as for future funding applications. Ultimately, this support serves as a springboard that enables all teams—even those who do not receive funding—to reach pivotal next steps in their journey to a groundbreaking research discovery or potential bedside application.

The 2026 Kahn Grand Challenge

The kickoff for the 2026 Kahn Grand Challenge will take place on February 11 and will provide participants with an excellent opportunity to get the inside scoop on the program and connect with potential collaborators from across disciplines. This year's kickoff event features keynote speaker Dr. Steve Xu, Medical Director of the Querrey Simpson Institute for Bioelectronics and Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Dermatology and Pediatrics at Northwestern University.

Registration for the kickoff is available through the official Kahn Grand Challenge website. 

Weil Institute Grand Challenges are open to all University of Michigan faculty and staff. Participants from outside organizations are welcome to collaborate and apply, provided at least one principal investigator on their team is from the University of Michigan.

About the Weil Institute

The team at the Max Harry Weil Institute for Critical Care Research and Innovation is dedicated to pushing the leading edge of research to develop new technologies and novel therapies for the most critically ill and injured patients. Through a unique formula of innovation, integration and entrepreneurship that was first imagined by Weil, their multi-disciplinary teams of health providers, basic scientists, engineers, data scientists, commercialization coaches, donors and industry partners are taking a boundless approach to re-imagining every aspect of critical care medicine. For more information, visit weilinstitute.med.umich.edu.