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Program

GEM Challenge (Galvanizing Engineering in Medicine)

Funds GEM Challenge, internal seed grants for UCSD teams on early-phase medical technology projects.

UCSD Institute of Engineering in MedicineUnited StatesGrant

The GEM Challenge is a joint initiative of UCSD's Institute of Engineering in Medicine (IEM) and Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute (ACTRI). It funds 12-month, early-phase translational research projects that require at least one clinically active faculty principal investigator and one engineering faculty principal investigator from UC San Diego. Since 2014, the program has funded 46 Phase I projects, resulting in 50+ patents and 14 startup company launches. A Year 2 follow-on award of up to $15,000 is available for eligible continuing teams.

BiotechMedtech

Each grant below is a distinct funding opportunity with its own eligibility, scope, and deliverables.

Last verified: 31 May 2026Source: iem.ucsd.edu