Innovator Development Program 

• Monthly sessions. All RISE Innovators will participate in monthly workshops (four hours per month January-June; September-December). The program provides targeted instruction using an experiential learning model to apply new skills and knowledge to advance interventions and develop Innovators. Program curricula includes foundational innovation and change management principles to cultivate innovation competency development. All RISE Innovators must have an existing intervention they intend to advance as part of the program.  
• Individual meetings with the RISE Core Team. All RISE Innovators meet regularly with key members of the RISE Core Team to elicit better insight into their needs — capitalizing on strengths and working through areas for development. These meetings also allow us to engage with concepts more thoroughly, brainstorm solutions together and build community.
• Assessment and feedback. All RISE Innovators receive regular feedback regarding their innovation competency and intervention development. This feedback is generated using a 360-degree feedback process as well as a series of Innovator self-assessments to identify areas of strength and growth and provide actionable recommendations. 
• Individual coaching. All RISE Innovators receive individual coaching to facilitate innovation competency development and the progression of their intervention.

At the successful completion of the 12-month program, Innovators will receive a certificate of completion in Health Sciences Education Innovation. The certificate requires:

• Attendance at monthly in-person sessions
• Monthly meetings with RISE Core Team
• Monthly meetings with a coach
• Dissemination of your work

Individuals who apply for the RISE Innovator Development Program may be considered for any of the following funding options:

• Innovator Development Program only. With this option, no project funding or FTE support is requested, but those selected will still participate in all other aspects of the program.
• Project funding to support your proposed intervention. Options: $1,500, $2,500 or $5,000 during the program year. 
• Up to 0.15 FTE support (or the equivalent reduction in other responsibilities for staff and learners to accommodate the effort: January 1, 2026-December 31, 2026).

All Michigan Medicine faculty, staff and learners are eligible to apply. All learners are required to be in good standing with their academic programs.

Please submit the following through the online submission form by Friday, May 16, 2025 at 5:00 PM to be considered for the next cohort of RISE Innovators:

You will be asked to upload documents for each section below.

Tell Us About You

1. Provide a brief summary of your experience, skills, education, and personal or professional accomplishments that you feel are relevant to your potential as an Innovator. [No more than 100 words]

2. Please describe why you are interested in participating in the RISE Innovator Development Program (IDP) and how you hope to develop as an innovator. [Between 200-400 words]

Tell Us About Your intervention

3. As part of the Innovator Development Program, we ask participants to have an intervention to apply the innovation principles they will learn during the program, please provide the following details of your proposed intervention [no more than 500 words]:

• What is the health issue to be addressed and the urgency for addressing it?
• What, specifically, is the intervention (e.g., training course, new education delivery platform)?
• Who are the intended participants or recipients (e.g., medical students, master’s students, Ph.D. students, residents, fellows, faculty) of your intervention?
• Describe what you envision will be different because of your intervention’s contribution (e.g., what changes do you expect the intervention to contribute to in terms of improved knowledge, skills, or other attributes, improved science, or health).

4. Describe the people who will work with you on your intervention. Please include 1) names of team members, 2) brief descriptions of each team member’s role on the team and 3) a statement regarding how the team member represents a diversity of perspective. The team should include at least one intended recipient of your intervention (e.g., learner, patient).

5. Provide an itemized budget that describes how you will use the requested funds. Describe any technology (hardware, software, devices, etc.) or technological support (programming, editing, storage, network, etc.) necessary to support your intervention(s). These funds cannot be used to pay for internal training or consulting, food where the sole purpose of the event is to promote dialogue or conversation within the department or unit, conference travel, or any type of salary support. *A budget is not required for applicants not requesting project funding.

Tell Us About Your Support

6. Submit a letter of support from your supervisor, director or division/department chair that supports your participation. This letter should be addressed to Dr. Meg Wolff, RISE Curriculum Director, and should include a statement endorsing the department’s support for applicant’s participation and the innovation. For learners, the letter should also state the applicant is currently in good standing in their academic program. For applicants requesting FTE support, this letter should also include an explicit agreement to accommodate the reduction in FTE effort or education responsibilities.

Note: Please reference the use of AI tools if used for the development of your submission materials.

Please feel free to contact Dr. Paula Thompson ([email protected]) or Dr. Meg Wolff ([email protected]) with any questions about your application.

RISE has a stepwise selection process to ensure sufficient information has been submitted to fully evaluate your application and determine whether RISE is a good fit for advancing your development. The selection consists of the following two-phase process:  

Phase 1

The RISE Core Team will review all applications using the RISE Innovator Development Program Application Assessment Rubric. Phase 1 decisions will fall into one of the following categories:

1. Interview granted: Applicant is invited to participate in an interview and is provided initial feedback on their intervention to prepare for the interview discussion. 

2. Interview not granted: Information provided is not in alignment with RISE objectives. Applicant is not invited to interview but is provided feedback on their intervention.

Phase 2

The RISE Core Team will conduct 1-hour interviews to learn more about the applicant’s intervention and assess their professional characteristics related to innovation competency, using the RISE Health Science Education Innovator Development Rubric.

Final Decisions

All application and interview data will be used to make holistic, final selection decisions. Applicants will be notified of final decisions in October 2025. 

These RISE Funding Application FAQs provide additional clarifying information. Please contact [email protected] with any additional questions.

Topics

How does the Program define “health science education innovation”?
We define health science education innovation (HSEI) broadly as a new idea with the potential to change existing approaches in teaching and learning, scale to different areas and learners, and improve practice and health.

What topics has the Program previously supported?
RISE has supported a wide variety of topics. Please see our past RISE-supported education innovations to learn more.

What topics is the Program looking to support?
The Innovator Development Program invites topics seeking to transform the way we learn, teach and train in health science education. We seek new ideas from across the continuum of health science education that have the potential to advance science, health and/or health care delivery. This includes topics from all health science education disciplines.

Application

How long can my application be?
Each page of the application should not exceed 2 pages (12-point font, 1” margins). The resume/CV is submitted as a separate document and is not limited to 2 pages.

Can I submit supplementary materials—beyond what is explicitly required?
Yes. If you wish to provide additional materials in formats not supported by our online submission, please email these directly to [email protected] with a subject line that includes— Supplemental IDP Application Material: Last Name, First Name.

What is the Program’s policy on IRB approval?
Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval or exemption is required for any intervention involving human participants.

Selection

How will my Innovator Development Program application be assessed?
All applications will be assessed using the RISE Health Science Education Innovation Application Development Rubric. Interviewers will use the RISE Health Science Education Innovation Competency Development Rubric to assess interviewees.

Who is involved in the Innovator Development Program selection process?
The RISE Core Team will review applications, conduct interviews and make final selection decisions.

When and how will notifications regarding the Innovator Development Program selection be made?
All applicants will receive feedback on their application by July. Top applicants will be invited to interview over the summer with final decisions being made October. Those selected the Program will be asked to confirm acceptance, in writing.

If I am selected as a RISE Innovator, how much time will I have to pilot my intervention?
Interventions are expected to be piloted within the 12-months of the program. However, we recognize that, for various reasons, delays may occur. In the event of a delay, an extension may be requested.

If I am not accepted to participate in the Innovator Development Program, will I receive feedback on my application?
Yes, you will receive a summary of the strengths and areas for development as they relate to your proposed intervention.

If I am not accepted to participate in the Innovator Development Program, can I still participate in other RISE sponsored activities?
Absolutely! We would love for you to remain engaged with us. By applying for support, you become a member of the RISE Community. This means you will be invited to RISE activities and will be eligible for opportunities such as grant brainstorming sessions, which will offer you development and networking and much more.

Funding

Who can apply for RISE funding?
All Michigan Medicine faculty, staff and learners (medical or graduate students, residents, fellows, and post-doctoral fellows) are eligible for RISE funding. Individuals can apply for the FTE support if they can modify their position/program requirements to accommodate the required reduction in their employment or education responsibilities. It is the applicant’s responsibility to negotiate and secure this approval from their supervisor prior to submitting their application. A letter of support from a person with appropriate oversight for the reduction in other responsibilities is required at the time of application.

Can I apply for support if I am not employed by Michigan Medicine?
No. Only individuals who are employed by Michigan Medicine can apply to participate in the Innovator Development Program.

How much funding can be requested, in addition to the protected time?
A maximum of $5,000 per application can be requested.

When will the FTE support and project funding begin?
The FTE support is effective January 1, 2026. If your position does not allow for the FTE support, the equivalent reduction in other responsibilities for staff and learners can also be made to accommodate the effort required. The project funding will also be made available by January 1, 2026.

Can I apply for FTE funding if I already have FTE support for another education project?
Yes, although your intervention must still represent a unique scope that advances the other project. Please contact us at [email protected] to discuss specifics.

What is excluded from Innovator Development Program project funding?
These funds cannot be used to pay for internal training or consulting, food where the sole purpose of the event is to promote dialogue or conversation within the department or unit, conference travel, or any type of salary support.

What happens if I do not use all the funds?
All unused funds must be returned.