January 2026

The Digital Health Co/Lab is pleased to offer the Wearable Insights into Health Innovation Award in collaboration with Garmin. This award will fund two observational studies utilizing Garmin wearable health sensors (e.g., wrist-worn monitors) to evaluate undiscovered physiological, behavioral, and/or psychosocial factors and processes affecting the health outcomes of patients. The two focus areas are cardiovascular disease and hypertension and mental health.

For each project, Garmin will provide in-kind support up to a value of $10,000 towards: feedback on proposals from senior staff; consultation, technical assistance, and data analysis or informatics guidance; and wearable devices for patients enrolled in the study. In addition, the Digital Health Co/Lab will provide each project $10,000 in funds to conduct the study.

To be eligible for funding, Principal Investigators must have a primary faculty appointment at the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC) or at University of Kansas-Lawrence (KU-Lawrence).

Application Deadline EXTENDED to February 23, 2026 (5:00 p.m. CST)!
Due to increasing interest in this grant opportunity, we are extending the application deadline by 10 days to February 23. This will give researchers ample time to discuss their ideas with Co/Lab leadership, confirm project fit, and receive guidance on any hardware- or data-related questions.

The Digital Health Co/Lab at the University of Kansas is pleased to offer a one-year fellowship for the 2026-2027 cycle to foster the development of trainees interested in digital health research and commercialization.

If you are working with outstanding medical or graduate trainees who would be a strong fit or are interested in applying yourself, please feel free to submit an application or pass along this opportunity.

Deadline to apply: March 27, 2026

Click below to learn more about eligibility, mentorship opportunities, and application instructions.

Interested in digital health but not sure where to start, or already working on an idea and looking for guidance?

The Digital Health Co/Lab is excited to share a new offering this February! In lieu of our regular digital health seminar, please come join the Digital Health Co/Lab for lunch while we talk about digital health. Ask questions and learn more about how we support digital health research, commercialization and culture. This is an informal, drop-in event. No registration required.

For those who are unable to attend in person, we will offer a brief virtual Q&A from 1:45 to 2 p.m. Questions may be submitted in advance to digitalhealthcolab@kumc.edu and will be addressed during the virtual portion.

Please be on the lookout for a calendar invite.

Date: Feb. 25, 2026
Time: 1 to 2 p.m.
Location: KU Medical Center, Health Education Building, Room 2249

We look forward to connecting with you!

The Digital Health Co/Lab hosts Digital Health Seminars focused on topics across the digital health life cycle. Seminar topics vary and may include, but are not limited to, pilot research studies, innovation grant proposals, business plans, investor pitches and introductions to digital health resources available across KU.

Each seminar is interactive and encourages participants to share information and perspectives, with time for questions and discussion at the conclusion of the presentation.

All seminars are virtual and free to attend.

In lieu of February’s seminar, we will host an in-person Meet & Greet + lunch (see details above). Regular seminar programming will resume in March.

Dick Flannigan, FACHE
President, Digital Health KC

Thursday, March 26, 2026
Noon-1 p.m.

For the latest meeting updates or to submit a presentation request, visit our website. For additional inquires, reach out to us at DigitalHealthCoLab@kumc.edu. I'm a new paragraph block.

Chris Rehkamp, MPS, Assistant Director of Commercialization for the Digital Health Co/Lab and Director of Business Services at KU Innovation Park will be holding office hours to meet one-on-one with anyone interested in commercializing an idea.

Whether you’re just starting to explore your concept or looking for guidance on next steps, this is a great opportunity to get practical advice and insights from someone experienced in turning ideas into reality. 

Upcoming office hours:
February 5, 2026 | Noon - 3:00 pm
February 17, 2026 | 9:00 am - Noon

Location: Health Education Building Skybridge, KU Medical Center

No appointment necessary. Stop by and start the conversation!

If you are unable to make it on Dec. 4th or have any questions, please reach out to Chris at crehkamp@btbcku.com.

Chris Rehkamp

Key Dates at a Glance

February 5, 2026

Commercialization office hours 

February 17, 2026

Commercialization office hours 

February 23, 2026 

Application due - Wearable Insights into Health Innovation Award 

February 25, 2026

Digital Health Co/Lab Meet & Greet + lunch

March 26, 2026

Digital Health Seminar

March 27, 2026

Applications due - Staudacher Fellowship 

Got Digital Health News?

We’d love to feature your opportunities or highlights in our newsletter! Share your updates with us at DigitalHealthCoLab@kumc.edu.

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