Congratulations to the winners of the 2024-2025 Big Ideas Pitch Event!
The intent of the Big Ideas Program, presented by the Healthcare Innovation Lab and the Institute for Informatics, Data Science and Biostatistics (I2DB), is to support novel and innovative projects that are clinically relevant, technically feasible, and operationally sustainable. Annually, the program provides an opportunity for collaborative clinical, operational, and research teams to develop innovations in informatics and healthcare delivery.
Applicants first submit a Letter of Intent sharing a high-level view of their Big Idea. Accepted intent proposals will be invited to submit a Full Application and present their Big Idea at the Pitch Event. The Pitch Event gives teams five minutes to convince the judges and audience why their Big Idea is worth funding.
Applicants may request up to $50,000 in grant funding.
The Big Ideas Program invites innovative proposals that use data, advanced analytics (including artificial intelligence or AI), and workflow re-design to address critical clinical and operational needs that impact the quality, safety, outcomes, and value of healthcare delivery. Projects should align with the core purpose and values of BJC HealthCare and WashU Medicine, emphasizing clinical excellence, stewardship, growth, and the creation of a thriving, inclusive culture that empowers and transforms healthcare delivery.
We are particularly interested in projects that leverage data, advanced analytics, AI, and workflow redesign to:
- Improve Clinical Excellence
- Achieve top-tier clinical performance and patient outcomes (e.g., by using predictive analytics and machine learning to direct care).
- Support Workforce Empowerment
- Develop solutions that simplify workflows and promote radical flexibility, enabling a stable, engaged, and diverse workforce.
- Enhance workforce planning, skills training, and retention strategies (e.g., using AI-driven systems).
- Drive Financial Stewardship
- Create data and analytics-based solutions to optimize resource utilization and deliver strong financial performance.
- Use advanced analytics and workflow redesign to maximize assets and streamline operations across clinical and administrative systems.
- Enhance Community Engagement & Growth
- Address community health needs through data-driven insights that improve access, equity, and relevance.
Researchers, technologists, clinicians, and operational team members across BJC HealthCare and Washington University in St. Louis are eligible to apply. Collaborative, interdisciplinary proposals that involve individuals from both organizations are strongly encouraged. While proposals involving outside organizations may be considered, the primary emphasis for this program is on project originated and executed by internal teams.
The Big Ideas Grant Program runs on an annual cycle. The anticipated program lifecycle can be found below with specific dates and timeframes modified slightly each year.
The relevant dates and deadlines for the 2025-26 Big Ideas Cohort can be found here:
| Office Hours | Walk-in Office Hours: Jan. 22, 2025, 1-3 pm Feb. 26, 2025, 1-3 pm |
| Letter of Intent Due | March 7, 2025 |
| Applicants Notified of Pitch Event Participation and invited to submit a Full Application | March 21, 2025 |
| Full Application Due | April 18, 2025 |
| Pitch Event | April 23, 2025, 2 – 4:30 p.m. |
| Winners Selected and Notified | Week of May 5, 2025 |
Office Hours
Office Hours are held in the Innovation Lab located in the Mid Campus Center (MCC), 4590 Nash Way, 6th floor in Suite 6500. For additional dates/times or to schedule a virtual meeting, please email bigideas@wustl.edu.
Interested teams must submit a Letter of Intent by March 7, 2025. Accepted intent proposals will be invited to submit a Full Application and present at the Pitch Event on April 23, 2025.
To learn what information is part of the Letter of Intent and Full Application Process, please visit the Application page.
Do I need to attend Office Hours?
We encourage teams new to Big Ideas to attend Office Hours prior to submitting their Letter of Intent and/or Application but do not require this to be eligible. Office Hours allows teams to learn more about successful proposals, receive feedback on strengthening their project proposal, and connect with additional BJC and/or WUSM partners, if needed.
If I was a part of a prior winning team, am I still eligible to apply?
Yes – you are eligible to apply if you were the Project Lead/PI or part of a winning team.
Do we need to have both BJC and WUSM team members?
No, this is not required. However, collaboration and communication between departments and organizations can only strengthen a team’s ability to produce robust results.
What does the process look like for teams not selected for Big Ideas funding?
All teams, whether they are selected for funding or not, receive feedback from the reviewing team to help guide the team’s next steps. In addition, teams can be connected with other resources in the BJC/WashU ecosystem to continue to move their ideas forward.
Who reviews the Letters of Intent and Application? How are judges for the Pitch Event selected?
Reviewers and judges are selected from individuals with a strong background in innovation, technology, healthcare, and operations. Past reviewers and judges have included leadership from the Healthcare Innovation Lab, the Institute for Informatics, Data Science & Biostatistics, BJC Center for Clinical Excellence, WashU Department of Medicine, BJC hospitals, BJC and WashU Technology, and beyond. Every effort is made to include a broad spectrum of perspectives ranging from executive leadership to clinical area subject matter experts.
How are winning teams selected?
Please visit the Scoring page for information on how proposals are scored and how winning teams selected.
For more information or to ask questions, please contact us at bigideas@wustl.edu.