COMPETITION DETAILS
Event: CMSC 2026 Annual Meeting (40th Anniversary)
Location: Charlotte, NC
Date: May 27–30, 2026
Format: In-Person: min 1 student required to attend per team, max 4 students
Prize: $1,000 award
Travel Grants: Selected teams invited to CMSC can apply. Not guaranteed.
PURPOSE
The CMSC Design for Rehabilitation Competition brings together healthcare providers, engineering schools, and patients to collaborate on creating devices that significantly improve the quality of life for those with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). This competition emphasizes the power of interdisciplinary collaboration while offering young innovators real-world design challenges and the opportunity to present their innovations on a competitive platform.
WHAT TO DO
- 1. Identify a Problem
- Pinpoint a specific MS-related challenge that can be addressed with a new assistive device.
- 2. Build a Team
- Required:
- Undergraduate or graduate students (at least one with engineering background).
- Faculty advisor.
- A healthcare provider (MD, PT, OT, NP, PA).
- Choose a team leader and contact person.
- Optional:
- Local MS centers or healthcare facilities.
- Patients
- Industry partners
- 3. Design, Fabricate, and Test the Device
- Software-only apps are not eligible.
- Must be developed < 18 months of the competition.
- Test and refine prototypes with team members.
- 4. Submit a Proposal
- Include all required sections noted on FAQ Page.
- Competitors will be informed shortly after if they meet the requirements.
- Top projects selected to attend CMSC.
- Conference registration instructions afterwards.
- 5. Submit Intent to Travel
- Register for conference and/or send proof of travel.
- Travel grant application sent afterwards.
- 6. Submit Final Pitch Materials
- 5-minute pitch deck.
- Include sections noted on FAQ page.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Submit a 1-page proposal via email to both organizers.
- Include: Team name and members, problem, background, proposed solution, market need and development stage.
- Submit final entry materials for the in-person competition.
- Include: Further design developments, specifications, methods, research, testing results, feasibility, competitive analysis and references.
- Prepare a 5-minute presentation with slide deck.
- Posters and prototypes (encouraged but optional).
- Submissions will be judged on quality, impact, presentation, and team effort. The winning team will be announced at the awards ceremony.
DEADLINES:
| ASAP | Complete Interest Form |
|---|---|
|
Jan 30, 2026 |
Submit Proposal |
|
Mar 9, 2026 |
Conference registration and/or proof of intent to travel + travel grant application |
|
May 11, 2026 |
Final submission materials due |
OTHER IMPORTANT DATES
|
February 9, 2026 |
Teams invited to CMSC announced |
|
March 23, 2026 |
Travel grant winners notified |
|
May 29, 2026 |
Overall competition winners announced at award ceremony |
OPPORTUNITY
- Meet and compete against like-minded, innovative students from across North America.
- Present innovations to thousands of clinical and technical professionals.
- Gain professional development through workshops, tours, and industry networking.
- Receive solution validation and recommendations from clinicians, industry, and judges.
- Learn directly from leading researchers.
ORGANIZERS
- Christopher Luzzio, MD – [email protected]
- Mikaela Morelli, EIT – [email protected]
- Shaiv Mehra – [email protected]
For more information, please reach out to our organizers or
visit: https://cmscscholar.org/ or the FAQ page.
Faculty of Health Sciences [email protected]