ICEM 2026 VITA Application Form

Visionary Industry Technology Award (VITA) at ICEM2026 in Hamburg

2026 Applications Open

Deadline 20th May 2026

➡️ Click here to view VITA 2025 Recipients

Sometimes there is a healthcare problem that may have a technological solution and sometimes you spot a non-health tech tool that might be useful in a healthcare environment.

The International Federation for Emergency Medicine’s Visionary Industry Technology Award (VITA) is a platform that brings these elements together—identifying healthcare problems that may have technological solutions and creating the tools to address them.

If you have a product- hardware, or software- that you think might interest the healthcare world, we encourage you to consider applying.

Application information for interested companies, institutions, or individuals.

IFEM, in collaboration with the 2026 International Conference on Emergency Medicine Local Organising Committee, is excited to announce that applications for the 2026 VITA Award are now open.

We are seeking to connect with the best and brightest healthcare startup companies, institutions or individuals developing game changing innovations and novel technology in emergency medicine care.

As a not-for profit organization, IFEM's goal is to advocate for the improvement of global emergency medicine through effective and sustainable strategies. As such working with the health technology industry within innovative technologies promotion and advancement is an important component to fulfilling the IFEM vision.

The aim of this award is to deliver a high-profile honor for technology applications at one of the biggest International Conferences on Emergency Medicine – IFEM's annual conference ICEM 2026 in Hamburg, Germany.

The VITA consists of an annual competition, to occur before ICEM (application and review process) with the VITA Award Ceremony (with winner announcement) during the ICEM Conference for tech companies, institutions, teams, or individuals to showcase their novelties and progress of innovative technologies in Emergency Medicine that can be applicable globally or locally and compete for the best project.

The purpose of the VITA Award is to recognize a tech-company, an institution, a team, or an individual who has demonstrated a significant and continuous commitment to technological innovations resulting in substantial contribution to the development and advancement of emergency medicine care through development, and/or implementation of new and advanced technology into emergency medicine care.

The review process is conducted by the VITA Award Subcommittee who obtains final approval by the IFEM Board. The winner is announced at the VITA Award Ceremony during ICEM. Please note you do not need to attend ICEM in person to apply or receive the award.

The final winner will have the following benefits:

Consultancy expertise consisting of a two-person team for two 8-hour days – either on-site or virtual. While there will be no charge to the winner for the consultants’ time, additional expenses (travel, accommodation etc.) will be covered by the company. A final report with the opinions of the consultancy team will be presented to the company. Any additional consultancy hours would be billed at an established hourly or daily rate, with an additional 20% management fee.
A 20-minute presentation slot at the next ICEM, providing the winner has registered to attend the conference.
Recognition of the company/institution/individual as a prize winner on the IFEM website for 1 year.
IFEM Recognition Statue Award – VITA (physical award to be given during ICEM2026 VITA Ceremony, or mailed if in person attendance isn't possible).

IFEM will provide a written (structured) assessment of applicant’s technology for all winners after the VITA Award is completed, and within 30 days of VITA Award Results announcement via mail.

CONSULTANCY POOL SELECTION

IFEM via the New and Advanced Technology Special Interest Group will provide an expert from an IFEM Consultancy Pool (with adequate geographic distribution of consultants to be able to properly state and guide local needs), with a standard application form to identify expertise using an abbreviated Curriculum Vitae (to maintain a standardised vetting process).

Criteria for selection for the IFEM VITA should include the following:

The proposed technology application must be novel, unique, and not globally established.
The proposed technology application must have a direct impact on emergency medicine care, or/and emergency medicine care, with evidence of quality improvement, patient safety or patient outcome.
The proposed technology application must have the potential for global dissemination, with the emphasis on low resourced countries.
The proposed technology must have impact on one of the following:
- Clinical Practice in Emergency Medicine, including Trauma
- Research in Emergency Medicine
- Education in Emergency Medicine

Application processing non-refundable fee amount is approved as follows:

- AUD 293 for industry

- AUD 147 for universities / other organisations

- AUD 73 for individual applications

Special Offer for Individual Applications

You’re eligible for a reduced application fee of AUD 24 if you meet the following criteria:

You’re a resident of an LMIC and you’re applying as an individual
You're an emergency physician applying as an individual and reside in an IFEM member country

If you meet all the above criteria, proceed with this application, referring to Technology Readiness Levels below:

TECHNOLOGY READINESS LEVELS

Adopted from Innovation Canada

LEVEL 1: BASIC PRINCIPLES OF CONCEPT ARE OBSERVED AND REPORTED

Scientific research begins to be translated into applied research and development. Activities might include paper studies of a technology's basic properties.

LEVEL 2: TECHNOLOGY CONCEPT AND/OR APPLICATION FORMULATED

Invention begins. Once basic principles are observed, practical applications can be invented. Activities are limited to analytic studies.

LEVEL 3: ANALYTICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL CRITICAL FUNCTION AND/OR PROOF OF CONCEPT

Active research and development is initiated. This includes analytical studies and/or laboratory studies. Activities might include components that are not yet integrated or representative.

LEVEL 4: COMPONENT AND/OR VALIDATION IN A LABORATORY ENVIRONMENT

Basic technological components are integrated to establish that they will work together. Activities include integration of "ad hoc" hardware in the laboratory.

LEVEL 5: COMPONENT AND/OR VALIDATION IN A SIMULATED ENVIRONMENT

The basic technological components are integrated for testing in a simulated environment. Activities include laboratory integration of components.

LEVEL 6: SYSTEM/SUBSYSTEM MODEL OR PROTOTYPE DEMONSTRATION IN A SIMULATED ENVIRONMENT

A model or prototype that represents a near desired configuration. Activities include testing in a simulated operational environment or laboratory.

LEVEL 7: PROTOTYPE READY FOR DEMONSTRATION IN AN APPROPRIATE OPERATIONAL ENVIRONMENT

Prototype at planned operational level and is ready for demonstration in an operational environment. Activities include prototype field testing.

LEVEL 8: ACTUAL TECHNOLOGY COMPLETED AND QUALIFIED THROUGH TESTS AND DEMONSTRATIONS

Technology has been proven to work in its final form and under expected conditions. Activities include developmental testing and evaluation of whether it will meet operational requirements.

LEVEL 9: ACTUAL TECHNOLOGY PROVEN THROUGH SUCCESSFUL DEPLOYMENT IN AN OPERATIONAL SETTING

Actual application of the technology in its final form and under real-life conditions, such as those encountered in operational tests and evaluations. Activities include using the innovation under operational conditions.

If you have any questions regarding the Award or application process and requirements please don't hesitate to contact us.