Huge grant extends postgraduate programme in health innovation
A new grant of DKK 81.5 million ensures that innovation leaders will continue to be trained for the Danish health sector over the next five years. The postgraduate programme, anchored at the Department of Clinical Medicine, is now starting its second funding period with a new direction.
Want to become a health innovator?
- The programme admits 16 new fellows per class.
- The application for the next class at BMD opens in January, and the final deadline is March 15, 2024.
- Read more about the programme and how to apply on BMD's website.
The national talent and postgraduate programme BioMedical Design Novo Nordisk Foundation Fellowship Programme (BMD) has jsut received a grant of almost DKK 81.5 million, for the programme to continue for a newd five-year period.
BMD was launched in 2018 in collaboration between the Novo Nordisk Foundation and the health science faculties at Aarhus University and the University of Copenhagen. Since then, 71 professionals from various backgrounds have completed the ten-month full-time study, which focuses on needs-driven and patient-centered innovation.
From the beginning, the programme has ensured its fellows access to and deep engagement in various clinical departments at Danish hospitals. Among other things, they have been trained to identify needs and devise innovative solutions by following and observing the workflows in clinical practice. As a result, the programme's alumni have so far started 20 new businesses, especially in the MedTech sector.
The programme sets a new direction with the next class
When BMD begins its next funding period, needs-driven innovation will still be the focal point. However, the programme will fine-tune its focus and, in the future, allocate resources to three new main areas in order to:
1. Strengthen the strategic clinical focus (especially in cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and obesity)
2. Improve digital understanding and the use of health data
3. Strengthen the cultural innovation imprint at host clinics
With these adjustments, the programme will educate a group of highly qualified clinical entrepreneurs capable of leading transformative changes in workflows, procedures, and patient involvement in Danish healthcare.
"We are excited to start our second funding period. The success among our fellows and the impact of their innovation projects has demonstrated the strength of a needs-driven and patient-focused approach. We now want to strengthen our strategic clinical focus, further utilize digital solutions, and enhance the cultural influence from our fellows in the clinical communities they engage in. In this way, we aim to unlock the full potential of Danish health innovation and drive positive change for the benefit of patients and healthcare professionals," says Sys Zoffmann Glud, Managing Director of BMD.
There is also enthusiasm at the Department of Clinical Medicine for the renewed funding for the innovation programme.
"On behalf of the Department of Clinical Medicine, I am both proud and grateful that the BioMedical Design education is anchored here. The first funding period clearly showed that Biomedical Design fills a significant unmet need for many of our staff," says Jørgen Frøkiær, Head of Department at the Department of Clinical Medicine.
Contact
Head of Communication Katrine Lind Møgelgaard
BioMedical Design Novo Nordisk Foundation Fellowship Programme
Mobile: 93 50 92 47
Email: katrine.lind@sund.ku.dk
This article is based on press material from the BioMedical Design Novo Nordisk Foundation Fellowship Programme.