Part of VAMIM 2026
Vinmec Innovation Challenge 2026
Where Research Meets Innovation. Where Ideas Move Forward.
4 COMPETITION TRACKS · VND 505 million IN AWARDS
28–29 November 2026 · Hanoi, Vietnam
CHOOSE YOUR CHALLENGE
4 TRACKS. 4 WAYS TO COMPETE.
DISCOVER
Young Investigator Award
Big Question. 3 Minutes. Make It Matter.
Individual researchers under 40
3-min Presentation + 2-min Q&A
Explore TrackDEFEND
FIT Competition
Think Fast. Defend with Evidence.
Residents & postgraduate trainees · Teams of 2–5
Research Defense + Rapid Fire
Explore TrackBUILD
MedTech Innovation
From Prototype to Pilot.
Startups · R&D · Technology Teams
Pitch + Demo
Explore TrackSHOWCASE
Poster Competition
See It. Scan It. Vote It.
Researchers · Clinicians · Students
Expert Jury + Popular Vote
Explore Track
Young Investigator
Up to VND 50M
FIT Competition
Up to VND 50M
MedTech Innovation
Up to VND 50M + Vinmec Pilot Opportunity
Poster Competition
Professional Awards + Popular Vote
ABOUT THE CHALLENGE
Vinmec Innovation Challenge 2026 brings together researchers, clinicians and innovators to showcase high-potential research, defend new ideas and advance promising healthcare solutions.
OBJECTIVES
Academic Impact
To identify, recognize and showcase outstanding research and emerging scientific talent within and beyond the Vinmec ecosystem.
Strategic Connection
To connect promising researchers, clinical teams and healthcare innovators with Vinmec’s scientific, clinical and innovation ecosystem — creating opportunities for further collaboration, mentorship, development and real-world application.
RESEARCH THEMES
- Smart Healthcare
- Genomics & Cell Therapy
- Healthcare Models & Public Health
- New Medical Products, Solutions & Technologies
Choose your Track based on how you want to compete. Choose your Theme based on what your work is about.
TRACK 1 — Young Investigator Award
Recognizing outstanding young researchers
DISCOVER - Big Question. 3 Minutes. Make It Matter.
Designed for early-career researchers to present a research question, research findings, or a research proposal with scientific value and strong potential for practical application.
First Prize
VND 50,000,000
Abstract publication in the conference proceedings + connection with leading experts at Vinmec/VinUni
Second Prize
VND 30,000,000 each
02 Awards
Third Prize
VND 10,000,000 each
05 Awards
Details
Big Question. 3 Minutes. Make It Matter.
Format
Individual competition
Who it’s for
Researchers under 40 working or studying in healthcare-related fields, including PhD and Master's candidates, within and beyond the Vinmec system.
What can be submitted
Two pathways are accepted:
- Evidence Pathway — for studies with data or results available.
- Protocol / Early-stage Pathway — for ongoing studies, research protocols or proposals with a clear scientific design and validation plan.
Presentation
3-minute presentation + 2-minute Jury Q&A
Maximum 5 slides
Poster not required
What to focus on
- The research problem and question
- Study design and methodology
- Results, preliminary evidence or validation plan
- Scientific significance and potential clinical impact
Schedule
28 November 2026 · 9:30–11:30
Expected finalists
15–20 presentations
Beyond the Prize
Top-performing investigators may be considered for connection with the Vinmec Young Investigator Network, opening opportunities for mentorship, research collaboration and continued scientific development.
TRACK 2 — FIT Competition
DEFEND - Think Fast. Defend with Evidence.
Designed for teams of medical residents, specialist trainees, and postgraduate students to present their research collaboratively and take part in a rapid evidence-based defense challenge.
First Prize
VND 50,000,000
Second Prize
VND 30,000,000 each
02 Awards
Third Prize
VND 10,000,000 each
03 Awards
Details
Think Fast. Defend with Evidence.
Format
Team competition
Who it’s for
Teams of 2–5 members, with at least one member currently in residency, fellowship or postgraduate medical training. Participants should be under 40. Teams from institutions within and beyond Vinmec are welcome.
Round 1 — Research Defense
5-minute presentation + 3-minute Jury Q&A
Maximum 10 slides
The Top 3 teams advance to the Rapid Fire Challenge.
Final — Rapid Fire Challenge
Three standardized questions per team. For each question:
- 30 seconds to prepare
- 90 seconds to respond
- No slides or supporting materials.
Final ranking = Round 1 score + Rapid Fire score
Schedule
28 November 2026 · 13:30–15:30
Expected teams
8–10 teams
Beyond the Prize
Outstanding teams may be considered for further connection with Vinmec researchers, clinical teams and research initiatives relevant to their work.
TRACK 3 — MedTech Innovation
BUILD - From Prototype to Pilot.
Designed for startups, R&D teams, interdisciplinary research groups, and technology development teams that have developed a prototype, minimum viable product (MVP), proof of concept (PoC), or have obtained initial validation or pilot results.
First Prize
VND 50,000,000
+ Vinmec Pilot Package, including access to a clinical testing environment and technical support from Vinmec teams
Second Prize
VND 30,000,000 each
02 Awards
+ direct connection with Vinmec Technology team and leadership
Third Prize
VND 10,000,000 each
05 Awards
Details
From Prototype to Pilot.
Format
Team competition · Maximum 5 members
Who it’s for
- Startups
- R&D teams
- AI and technology teams
- Multidisciplinary research groups
- Medical device and healthcare technology developers
Open to all institutions and nationalities.
Minimum development stage
Projects should demonstrate at least one of the following: Prototype · MVP · Proof-of-Concept · Technical Testing · Preliminary Validation · Pilot Evidence
Idea-only projects without evidence of development are not prioritized.
Presentation
7-minute Pitch + Demo
5-minute Jury Q&A
Live demonstration is expected whenever technically feasible. Recorded demonstrations, simulations or other appropriate formats may be used when a live demo is not possible.
What to show
Problem → Solution → Technology → Evidence → Implementation
- What healthcare problem you are solving
- Why your solution is different
- How the technology works
- What evidence or validation you already have
- How the solution could be tested, integrated or scaled in a healthcare environment
Schedule
29 November 2026 · 09:00–11:30
Expected teams
8–10 teams
From competition to collaboration
Outstanding projects may be considered for further technical assessment, pilot exploration or collaboration with relevant Vinmec teams.
Any subsequent pilot, implementation or partnership will be subject to separate professional, regulatory, ethical, technical and contractual assessment.
TRACK 4 — Poster Competition
Poster group awards
SHOWCASE - See It. Scan It. Vote It.
Designed for research presented in the form of scientific posters, combining expert evaluation with voting by conference participants.
First Prize
VND 5,000,000
Second Prize
VND 3,000,000
Third Prize
VND 2,000,000
Details
See It. Scan It. Vote It.
Format
Scientific poster competition
Who it’s for
Physicians, nurses, residents, fellows, PhD and Master's candidates, medical students and researchers within and beyond Vinmec.
Poster format
A0 · Portrait orientation
Official VAMIM template
Display
Posters will remain on display in the conference exhibition area throughout VAMIM 2026.
Authors or designated representatives must be present during their assigned judging session.
Professional judging
Posters will be independently evaluated by an expert jury using a standardized track-specific rubric, considering scientific quality, relevance, potential impact and effectiveness of scientific communication.
Popular Vote
Each conference delegate may vote for up to 3 posters per day through the official QR voting system.
Popular Vote Awards
6 posters with the highest QR votes
First Prize
VND 1,500,000
Second Prize
VND 1,000,000 each
02 Awards
Third Prize
VND 500,000 each
03 Awards