RISE Innovation Development Program

Overview

RISE is seeking applications for its next cohort of RISE Innovators.  We specifically seek to support innovators with new ideas that have the potential to change existing approaches in teaching and learning, scale to different areas and learners, and improve practice and health. This includes ideas from across the education continuum and from all health science education disciplines.

RISE Innovators will:

  • Construct a vision that is well-supported by education interventions designed to lead to intended change;
  • Develop as an innovator through the cultivation of the seven health science education innovation (HSEI) competencies;
  • Align an innovation within the HSEI guiding framework; and 
  • Pilot an innovation with measurable outcomes.   

    Important Dates

    • Application opens: April 24, 2023
    • Application submission deadline: June 9, 2023 at 5 p.m. 
    • Applicant interviews: September 5-15, 2023 
    • Notification of decision: October 2023 
    • Program begins: January 2024

    Support

    RISE supports individuals in developing and piloting innovations, while also developing them as innovators.  

    Innovation 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 innovations along the HSEI guiding framework. Program curricula includes foundational innovation and change management principles to cultivate their HSEI competency development. All RISE Innovators must have an existing innovation they intend to advance as part of the program. 
    • Innovation coaching. All RISE Innovators receive individual coaching to facilitate HSEI competency development and the progression of their innovation. 
    • 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. 

    Funding Options

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

    • Innovation 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 innovation. Options: $1,500, $2,500 or $5,000. 
    • 0.15 FTE support (or the equivalent 15% reduction in other responsibilities for staff and learners to accommodate the effort: January 1, 2024-December 31, 2024).

    All Michigan Medicine faculty, staff, and learners are eligible to apply.      

    Information Video

    Please watch this video for additional details about the program and application process.

      My time as a RISE Innovator exposed me to a whole new world of thinking around change management and implementation science. The lessons learned through the curriculum and as part of my project was foundational in launching the current phase of my career as a medical educator.

      John Burkhardt, M.D., Ph.D.

      Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine and Learning Health Sciences and Director, Master’s in Health Professions Education Program

      Requirements

      To be considered for the next cohort of RISE Innovators, please submit the following:  

      1. Resume or Curriculum Vitae

      2. HSEI description. Provide a brief (two-page limit) description about your innovation that includes the following:

      A. Health issue to be addressed. Describe the existing health issue your HSEI idea addresses. Briefly summarize why you believe this is an important issue, based on existing evidence—e.g., published literature, personal or professional experience, available metrics, extant theories, etc.

      B. HSEI plan for addressing this health issue.

      I. Vision for practice or health. Describe the desired future state of practice or health to which you expect your innovation to contribute.

      II. Education interventions. Describe 1-2 specific education interventions you plan to create or adopt to address the health issue. In your description of each education intervention, please include the following information:

      1. What, specifically, is the education intervention (e.g., training course, new education delivery platform)?

      2. Is the education intervention new, or an adapted or modified activity/intervention?

      3. Who are the intended participants or recipients (e.g., medical students, master’s students, Ph.D. students, residents, fellows) of your education innovation?

      4. Where can the education intervention be scaled (e.g., single or multiple institutions and/or other education domains such as biomedical sciences, continuing medical education, graduate medical education, undergraduate medical education)?

      5. What outcomes do you expect the education intervention to translate into (e.g., improved knowledge, skills, or other attributes, improved science or health)?    

      C. HSEI team. Describe the people who will work with you on this innovation.  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 perspectives. The team should include at least one intended recipient of your innovation (e.g., learner, patient).

       3. Letter of support. Submit a letter of support from your supervisor, director or division/department chair that supports for 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 applicants requesting FTE support, this letter should also include an explicit agreement to accommodate the 15% reduction in FTE effort or education responsibilities. 

      Please feel free to contact Dr. Paula Thompson (paulat@med.umich.edu) or Dr. Meg Wolff (wolffm@med.umich.edu) with any questions about your application.

      4. Itemized budget (if funding is requested*). 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 education intervention(s). *A budget is not required for applicants not requesting FTE or project funding.

        Selection Process

        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 innovation. The selection consists of the following two-phase process: 

        Phase 1

        A committee comprised of the RISE Core Team and select members of our community will review all applications using the RISE Health Science Education Intervention Development Rubric. Preliminary Phase 1 decisions will fall into one of the following categories: 

        1. Interview granted: No further information needed at this time. Applicant is invited to participate in an interview and is provided initial feedback on their innovation to prepare for the interview discussion. 

        2. Interview pending: More information is needed. Applicant is invited to a 30-minute conversation with the RISE Core Team to learn more about how the innovation aligns with expectations. Following this conversation, the applicant will either 1) be invited to an interview or 2) not be invited to interview but will be provided with feedback on their innovation. 

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

        Phase 2

        The RISE Core Team and select members of our Community will conduct 1-hour interviews to learn more about the applicant’s innovation and assess their professional characteristics related to innovation competency, using the RISE Health Science Education Innovator Development Rubric. Interviewees will also complete the rubric as a self-assessment activity prior to the interview. 

        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 2023. 

        Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

        These RISE Funding Application FAQs provide additional clarifying information. Please contact michmedrise@umich.edu with any additional questions.