14-16 November 2026 · Valencia

The Well-Being

Innovation
Catalyst

Where the next generation pitches
the future of physician well-being.

Submit your application

Submission closes

The Well-Being Innovation Catalyst is a global innovation competition inviting medical students, residents, early-career physicians, as well as students and professionals from fields such as computer science, engineering, AI, design, behavioural sciences, and healthcare management, to present bold, practical ideas that improve physician well-being.

From digital tools and AI solutions to educational programs, services, products, and system redesign, participants are invited to develop solutions for healthier, more sustainable healthcare environments.

The three top finalists will be invited to present their innovations live at Well-Being for Doctors 2026 in Valencia, competing for recognition, prizes, and the title of WBD Innovator 2026.

The generation closest to today’s physician well-being challenges will pitch the solutions of tomorrow, directly to the leaders, institutions and innovators who can help bring them to life.

Why take part

Why participate?

  • 01 Present your ideas to an international community of healthcare leaders
  • 02 Gain visibility among physicians, institutions and innovation partners
  • 03 Receive feedback from experts in physician well-being and innovation
  • 04 Connect with potential collaborators and implementation partners
  • 05 Transform a promising idea into a solution with real-world impact
  • Eligibility

    Who can apply?

    Applications are open worldwide to:

  • Medical students, any year
  • Resident doctors / doctors in training
  • Clinical fellows
  • Licensed physicians within 8 years of graduation
  • Students or professionals from another discipline, computer science, engineering, AI, design, behavioural sciences, healthcare management
  • Other, please specify in your application
  • How to enter

    Solo or as a team.

    Apply individually or in teams of up to 4 members. Teams are encouraged to designate a team leader, who represents the team on stage in Valencia if selected as a finalist.

    Language

    English throughout.

    All submissions must be made in English, the application, the pitch video and the live presentation.

    The brief

    What we’re looking for.

    Innovative ideas that improve physician well-being through:

    01

    Personal well-being initiatives

    02

    System-level improvements

    03

    New technologies

    04

    Educational programs

    05

    Hospital or clinic workflow redesign

    06

    Digital health solutions

    07

    Products or services

    08

    Policy or organizational innovation

    Ideas may still be at the concept stage, participants are not required to have a finished product or company.

    The process

    How it works.

    01

    Submit your idea

    Complete the online application and upload a two-minute pitch video.

    02

    Expert review

    An international review panel evaluates every application against predefined judging criteria.

    03

    Finalists announced

    Three finalists are invited to attend Well-Being for Doctors 2026 in Valencia.

    04

    Live pitch

    Each finalist presents their innovation on the conference main stage.

    05

    Winners selected

    The Well-Being Jury chooses the winning idea during the live event.

    Awards & recognition

    The future of physician well-being, rewarded.

    Winners are announced live during Well-Being for Doctors 2026 in Valencia.

    Top prize

    1st Place

    €2,000

    award

    Official title: WBD Innovator 2026

    2nd Place

    €1,000

    award

    3rd Place

    €500

    award

    For all three finalists

    Finalist benefits.

  • Travel & accommodation support for Valencia, flights and accommodation (total value €1,500; reimbursed after the event per the competition terms)
  • Full 3-day conference registration for Well-Being for Doctors 2026
  • Official finalist certificate
  • Visibility through the WBD website and official social media channels
  • The final stage

    The live pitch in Valencia.

    Each finalist delivers a short stage pitch to an international audience of physicians, healthcare leaders and innovation partners, followed by questions from the Well-Being Jury.

    A speaker pitching on stage to a large audience

    Finalists are evaluated on

  • 01 Innovation & Originality
  • 02 Impact Potential
  • 03 Feasibility & Scalability
  • 04 Evidence & Rationale
  • 05 Pitch Quality
  • What to prepare

    Submission requirements.

    1

    Online concept submission

    The application includes:

  • Title of the idea
  • One-sentence summary
  • General description, maximum 400 words
  • The physician well-being challenge being addressed
  • Whether the solution targets personal well-being, systemic well-being, or both
  • How the solution works
  • What makes it innovative
  • How it could be piloted in a real healthcare setting
  • Evidence or rationale supporting its expected impact
  • 2

    Two-minute pitch video

    Provide an unlisted YouTube or Vimeo link. Professional production is not required, ideas are evaluated on their quality, not on video production.

    Applications open worldwide

    Pitch the future of physician well-being.

    Complete the online application and upload your two-minute pitch video before the deadline.

    Submission closes

    30 September 2026 · 23:59 CET

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