Disruptive Technology Award

The deadline for the 2021 AACC Disruptive Technology Award competition has passed. Thank you to everyone that applied. Please view the timeline for remaining competition dates.

AACC’s Disruptive Technology Award competition recognizes innovative testing and disruptive technology solutions that improve patient care through diagnostic performance or access to high quality testing. This year, the award will highlight developers of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies that are advancing medicine and pathology. We encourage applicants to submit proposals showcasing these technologies in addition to other innovative and disruptive diagnostic solutions.

Award Details

Who Can Apply?

All technology developers are eligible regardless of company/organization size, including in vitro diagnostic vendors and academic developers. Applicants should be able to present supporting data for their technology and must demonstrate some application to the field of laboratory diagnostics, including (but not limited to) areas such as: novel diagnostic sensors/devices, novel tests/reagents, point-of-care testing, and artificial intelligence.

Prize Details

All applicants will have their submissions reviewed by an expert panel and will receive constructive feedback on their technologies.

5 to 7 semifinalists will receive:

• Four (4) complimentary registrations for the 2021 AACC Annual Scientific Meeting, September 26-30, in Atlanta, Georgia, where they will get valuable face time with leaders in the in vitro diagnostic industry and research communities, as well as access to educational and poster sessions.
• A kiosk in the Clinical Lab Expo hall where they can showcase their technology throughout the duration of the Expo.
• Free one-year AACC memberships for up to three (3) team members.

3 finalists will also:

• Present data on their technology in a special session during the Annual Scientific Meeting. During this session, a panel of expert judges will evaluate all presented testing solutions based on feasibility and performance. The audience will also vote for their favorite technology.
• Have the opportunity to attend AACC's invitation-only Corporate Recognition Reception after the competition, where finalists will be able to connect with leaders from top diagnostic companies.
• Receive valuable input from assigned mentors as they prepare for their presentations.

The winner will be chosen at the end of the session and will receive:

• A $5,000 cash award.
• Free one-year AACC memberships for two (2) additional team members.
• Coverage by AACC.

TIMELINE FOR THE 2021 COMPETITION

• February 1: Application launched.
• May 5, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time: Extended deadline for application submissions.
• June 16: Semifinalists announced.
• Late-June to mid-July: Semifinalists present to award committee.
• July 28: Finalists announced.
• August: Finalists and assigned mentors coordinate further presentation review.
• September 27: Finalists required to present at a special session during the 2021 AACC Annual Scientific Meeting. The winner will be chosen at the end of the session.

Updated May 5, 2021. Please note that these dates may still be subject to further change.

QUESTIONS?

Please email AACC Education with any questions about the competition.