The Gold Public Health Innovation Award is UMD’s first award competition given to a team or individual for a creative solution to the world’s most complex public health issues. Launched in 2017 by Dr. Robert S. Gold (School of Public Health founding dean) and Barbara A. Gold and held annually, students can compete for up to $5,000 in start-up funding. Top student entrepreneurs deliver pitches to a panel of thought leaders and health entrepreneurs who select the winner(s) each spring.
In Public Health, we use tools, techniques, and technology to reshape the health of populations and that's what the core of our discipline is. Innovation is no different. What is really heartening for me is that we have the opportunity, thanks to the generous gift of the Golds, to bring tangible technologic innovation into the lives of students who are taught a discipline of innovation from the very beginning, and so it's not a stretch for our students to think about problem solving, because that is what we do. That's the very fiber of our discipline.
Use Gold Public Health Innovation Award to…
-
Find entrepreneurship events
Check the Gold Public Health Innovation Award website for more information about the final competition pitch event, information sessions and other training.
-
Get business advice for my venture
Students applying to the Gold Public Health Innovation Award are able to partner with a mentor through our partnership with UM Ventures, formerly known as the Office of Technology Commercialization. Interested students should schedule appointments online and indicate "Gold Award" in the notes. Check this list of mentors to learn more about the available Entrepreneurs in Residence (EIRs).
-
Learn about entrepreneurship
Students can compete for up to $5,000 in start-up funding. Top student entrepreneurs deliver pitches to a panel of five thought leaders and health entrepreneurs who select the winner(s) each spring. Successful proposals will describe a new, cutting edge approach to a public health problem. Undergraduate and graduate students in the UMD School of Public Health are eligible to apply. Team proposals are encouraged and teams may include students from across the University of Maryland.