COMPETITION GUIDELINES

Vinmec Innovation Challenge 2026 is the scientific research and healthcare innovation competition of VAMIM 2026.

The Challenge provides a platform for young investigators, clinicians, healthcare professionals, researchers, innovators and technology teams to present their work, exchange ideas with experts and showcase research and solutions with the potential to advance healthcare.

The competition includes four Tracks:

• • Track 1 — Young Investigator Award (YIA): DISCOVER
• • Track 2 — Fellow in Training Research Challenge (FIT): DEFEND
• • Track 3 — MedTech Innovation: BUILD
• • Track 4 — Poster Competition: SHOWCASE

The total prize pool across the competition is VND 505 million.

Submissions should align with one of the four VAMIM 2026 priority areas:

• • Smart Healthcare
• • Genomics & Cell Therapy
• • Healthcare Models and Public Health
• • New Medical Products, Solutions and Technologies

Applicants should select the Competition Track that best matches how they wish to compete and the Theme that best represents the subject of their work.

Each submission must be entered into one Competition Track.

Who can apply?

The Young Investigator Award is an individual competition for researchers under 40 working or studying in healthcare-related fields.

Eligible applicants include researchers from within and beyond Vinmec, including Master's and PhD candidates conducting health-related research.

What can be submitted?

Both completed and ongoing research may be considered. Candidates may enter through either:

• • Evidence Pathway — research with data or results available.
• • Protocol / Early-stage Pathway — ongoing research, research protocols or well-developed proposals with a clear scientific design and validation plan.

Competition format

• • Individual presentation
• • 3 minutes presentation
• • 2 minutes Jury Q&A
• • Maximum 5 slides
• • Poster presentation is not required

Approximately 15–20 finalists are expected to be selected for the competition.

Evaluation

Finalists will be evaluated by an expert jury using a standardized, track-specific evaluation rubric.

Assessment will consider the scientific significance of the research, quality and rigor of the study design, evidence or feasibility of the work, potential impact, and the candidate's ability to communicate and defend the research.

Awards

• • 1 First Prize — VND 50,000,000
• • 2 Second Prizes — VND 30,000,000 each
• • 5 Third Prizes — VND 10,000,000 each

Outstanding investigators may also be considered for further connection with the Vinmec Young Investigator Network, mentorship and research collaboration opportunities.

The Fellow in Training Research Challenge is designed for residents and postgraduate medical trainees to demonstrate not only research quality, but also teamwork, scientific reasoning and the ability to defend their work under pressure.

Who can apply?

• • Teams of 2–5 members
• • At least one member must be a Fellow in Training, including residents, specialty trainees or postgraduate medical trainees
• • Participants are expected to be under 40
• • Teams from Vinmec and external institutions are welcome.

Eligible research

Eligible submissions may include clinical research, observational studies, clinical trials, qualitative, quantitative or mixed-method studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, case reports/series, AI-related research, translational research and healthcare innovation.

Both completed and ongoing research may be considered where the scientific rationale, methods and feasibility can be clearly demonstrated.

Round 1 — Research Defense

Each team will have:

• • 5 minutes presentation
• • 3 minutes Jury Q&A
• • Maximum 10 slides

The Top 3 teams will advance to the Final Round.

Final Round — Rapid Fire Challenge

Each finalist team will receive 3 standardized questions. For each question:

• • 30 seconds preparation
• • 90 seconds response
• • No slides or supporting materials

Evaluation

Teams will be evaluated by an expert jury using a standardized, track-specific evaluation rubric.

Assessment will consider scientific quality and research rigor, evidence or feasibility, potential application, teamwork, communication and the team's ability to respond to scientific questions and defend its work.

Performance in the Rapid Fire Challenge will contribute to the final ranking of the Top 3 teams.

Awards

• • 1 First Prize — VND 50,000,000
• • 2 Second Prizes — VND 30,000,000 each
• • 3 Third Prizes — VND 10,000,000 each

MedTech Innovation is designed for teams developing healthcare technologies and solutions that have moved beyond the idea stage and can demonstrate evidence of technical development or validation.

Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• • Startups
• • R&D teams
• • AI and technology teams
• • Multidisciplinary research groups
• • Medical device and healthcare technology developers

Teams may have up to 5 members. There is no restriction on institution, company or nationality.

Minimum development stage

Projects should demonstrate at least one of the following:

Prototype · MVP · Proof-of-Concept · Technical Testing · Preliminary Validation · Pilot Evidence

Projects consisting only of an idea without evidence of development are not prioritized.

Areas of interest

Examples include: AI in healthcare, Digital Health, Telemedicine, Medical Devices, Wearables, Clinical Decision Support, Healthcare Data, Hospital Information Systems, Genomics, Precision Medicine and other advanced healthcare technologies.

Competition format

Each selected team will have:

• • 7 minutes — Pitch + Demonstration
• • 5 minutes — Jury Q&A

A live demonstration is expected whenever technically feasible. Where live demonstration is not possible, teams may use video, simulation or another appropriate demonstration format.

What should the pitch communicate?

Competitors are encouraged to clearly communicate: Problem → Solution → Technology → Evidence → Implementation

The Jury should be able to understand the healthcare problem being addressed, how the solution works, what makes it distinctive, what evidence currently supports it and how it could potentially be implemented in a real healthcare environment.

Evaluation

Projects will be evaluated by a multidisciplinary expert jury using a standardized, track-specific evaluation rubric.

Assessment will consider the relevance of the healthcare problem, innovation and technological value, evidence of development or validation, feasibility, implementation potential and the team's ability to communicate and defend its solution.

Awards and opportunities

• • 1 First Prize — VND 50,000,000
• • 2 Second Prizes — VND 30,000,000 each
• • 5 Third Prizes — VND 10,000,000 each

Up to 2 Special Collaboration Awards may also be selected independently of the main ranking.

Outstanding projects may be considered for further technical assessment, connection with relevant Vinmec teams and potential pilot exploration.

Any subsequent pilot, testing, technology transfer, implementation or partnership will be subject to appropriate professional, regulatory, ethical, technical and contractual assessment.

The Poster Competition provides researchers with an opportunity to communicate their work visually and engage with both expert judges and the wider VAMIM scientific community.

Who can apply?

The competition is open to eligible physicians, nurses, residents, fellows, Master's and PhD candidates, medical students and researchers from within and beyond Vinmec.

Poster requirements

Selected competitors will prepare their posters using the official VAMIM template.

• • Size: A0
• • Orientation: Portrait
• • Posters will be displayed throughout the conference
• • Authors or designated representatives must attend their assigned judging session.

Professional Judging

Posters will be independently evaluated by an expert jury using a standardized evaluation rubric.

Assessment will consider scientific quality and rigor, relevance and potential impact, and the effectiveness of visual scientific communication.

Popular Vote

Conference delegates will also be able to vote for their favorite posters through the official QR voting system.

Each delegate may vote for up to 3 posters per day.

Popular Vote Awards are independent of the Professional Awards. A poster may therefore receive both types of recognition.

Awards

Professional Awards will be presented across the designated scientific groups.

Popular Vote Awards include:

• • 1 Gold Popular Vote Award
• • 2 Silver Popular Vote Awards
• • 3 Bronze Popular Vote Awards

Step 1 — Choose your Track

Select the Competition Track that best matches your profile, research or innovation.

Step 2 — Prepare your abstract

Prepare your abstract using the official VAMIM 2026 Abstract Submission Template. Please download and follow the template carefully when preparing your submission. The template provides the required format, structure and instructions for authors.

All submissions must be prepared in English and comply with the requirements specified in the official template.

Please ensure that your abstract is complete and follows the template before submitting your entry.

Content and formatting

Abstracts that do not include a title or author name within the body of the abstract will be disqualified immediately.

Step 3 — Complete the required information

Prepare all required author/team information, institutional details, declarations and disclosures as specified in the Abstract Submission Template and online submission form.

Step 4 — Submit online

Submit your completed entry through the official VAMIM submission system before the submission deadline.

1. 15 October 2026

   Abstract Submission Deadline

2. 1 November 2026

   Finalists Announced

3. 20 November 2026

   Final Presentation / Poster Materials Deadline

4. 27–29 November 2026

   Vinmec Innovation Challenge at VAMIM 2026

5. 29 November 2026

   Closing & Award Ceremony

Originality and authorship

Submitted work must be original, and all listed authors must have approved the submission.

Research ethics

Where applicable, research must have appropriate ethics approval and informed consent in accordance with relevant institutional and regulatory requirements.

Conflicts of interest and funding

Applicants must disclose relevant conflicts of interest and sources of funding or sponsorship. These declarations form part of the official submission requirements.

Intellectual Property

Intellectual property remains with the author/team or the relevant owning institution.

Participation in Vinmec Innovation Challenge does not transfer ownership of the submitted research, technology or intellectual property to Vinmec.

Any subsequent testing, development, technology transfer, commercialization or other collaboration will require separate agreement between the relevant parties.

Evaluation

Eligible entries and finalists will be evaluated using standardized, track-specific rubrics by appropriately selected expert juries.

The Organizing Committee is committed to a fair, independent and consistent evaluation process.

Awards

A submission may receive only one principal award within its Competition Track.

Special awards designated as independent awards — including applicable MedTech collaboration awards and Poster Popular Vote Awards — may be awarded in addition to a principal prize.

Organizing Committee decisions

Final competition results and award decisions will be made in accordance with the official competition rules and judging process.

For questions regarding eligibility, Track selection, submission requirements or the competition process, please contact:

VAMIM 2026 Secretariat

vamim2026@websitehoinghi.com