NurseHack4Health
2026 · Pitch-A-Thon

Take It Apart. Fix It. Build It Better.

An open innovation event for nurse innovators. $400,000 in grant funding available across three tracks — submit your project, get reviewed by expert judges, and pitch live on Nov 12, 2026.

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Return May 1, 2026 · 12:00 AM ET to apply.
Apply as a nurseSign in

Judges: register with invite code

Three tracks

Pick the track that matches your team.

Applications are free and open globally. Interdisciplinary nurse-led teams from nonprofit health systems, nursing organizations, and US-based nurse-founded startups are eligible.

Track 01 · high-resource

Health Systems & Nursing Organizations

High-resource countries
$225K
up to · grant funding
  • Open to global health systems and nursing organizations from high-resource countries.
  • Must be 501(c)(3) or global equivalent, or have a fiscal sponsor.
  • Interdisciplinary nurse-led teams within the same organization.
Track 02 · low/mid-resource

Health Systems & Nursing Organizations

Low to mid-resource countries
$175K
up to · grant funding
  • Open to global health systems and nursing organizations from low to mid-resource countries.
  • Must be a non-profit organization or global equivalent, or a fiscal sponsor.
  • Interdisciplinary nurse-led teams within the same organization.
Track 03 · US startups

Nurse-Founded Startups

United States only
$35K
up to · direct funding
  • Must be registered in the United States with a valid bank account.
  • Must have less than $50,000 in capital.
  • Must be nurse-led.
Funded by J&J Foundation
Timeline

Key dates for the 2026 cohort

Applications open
May 1, 2026
12:00 AM ET
Applications close
Sept 21, 2026
11:59 PM ET
Innovation Accelerator
Oct 11 – Nov 6, 2026
Finalists only
Pitch-A-Thon
Nov 12, 2026
Live · virtual
General Info Sessions

Live overview of the 2026 Pitch-A-Thon program

Innovation Academy + Info Sessions

Free virtual workshops covering everything from design thinking to crafting the perfect pitch

Must-haves

Eligibility in brief

These apply across all three tracks. Review the full toolkit before submitting.

  • Teams must be nurse-led.
  • Grants must be used for project implementation only — grantees cannot be vendors.
  • Grantees must start implementation by January 2027 and end fund spending by December 31, 2027.
  • Teams must articulate a sustainability plan beyond the grant cycle.
  • Innovation or solution must create a thriving workforce and/or healthier work environment in alignment with Pitch-A-Thon objectives.
Time commitment

Plan for a few focused sessions

Most teams complete the application in under an hour. The optional Innovation Academy workshops cover design thinking, budgeting, competitive analysis, AI prompting, and crafting the pitch.

Typical time to complete the written application
~1 hr
Optional training & workshops (highly recommended)
~5 hrs
Total team effort including training
15–30 hrs
Resources

Everything you need to apply.

Download the applicant toolkit, browse the FAQ, and watch the Innovation Academy sessions. All of it is free.

Applicant Toolkit

Need support to participate in the NurseHack4Health Pitch-A-Thon?

Download the applicant toolkit. Included are the following documents to support you with your application:

  • One-page Summary highlighting key information regarding the 2026 Pitch-A-Thon.
  • Editable Request Letter to ask your manager or leadership for professional development support to participate in NurseHack4Health.
  • Funding Resource Guide outlining the application tracks and key documentation required to apply.
  • Country Resource Guide outlining which country falls under which track to assist with the application (Tracks 1 & 2 only).
Download Resource Kit ↓
FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers on eligibility, fiscal sponsors, intellectual property, time commitment, and grant restrictions. Read this before you start so you have the right paperwork ready.

Read the full FAQ →
Innovation Academy

Three-part course for nurse innovators

The NurseHack4Health Innovation Academy gives nurses and other healthcare professionals the knowledge to break down challenges within healthcare affecting the workforce and the workplace.

  • Design Thinking — Professor Marion Leary, PhD, MPH, RN
  • Crafting the Perfect Pitch — Hiyam Nadel, MBA, RN, CCG, FIEL
  • Essentials of AI for Nurses — Kathleen McGrow, DNP, MS, RN, PMP, FAAN

Two contact hours awarded by the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association Approver Unit upon completing all three modules and scoring 80%+ on the post-test.

Visit the Academy ↗