About

MIT and the Hood Foundation have established the Hood Hub for Pediatric Innovation to bridge the translational gap in pediatric healthcare. Born from a shared commitment to education, research, and service, MIT and Hood have long focused on populations for whom innovation is least accessible—especially children, who disproportionately experience healthcare inequities.

The Hub is uniquely positioned to accelerate cutting-edge scientific advances and overcome persistent barriers to bringing life-saving pediatric technologies to market. It harnesses MIT’s state-of-the-art resources and a national network of pediatric researchers, hospitals, and medical centers supported by the Hood Foundation. 

Pediatric diseases impact entire families and communities. Innovations must address not only the child’s needs but also those of parents, siblings, and caregivers.  Parents and caregivers will be key stakeholders in developing transformative technologies tailored to real-world needs in the Hub.

The Hood Hub for Pediatric Innovation represents an extraordinary opportunity for MIT and the Hood Foundation to make a lasting impact on child health. As Nelson Mandela said in 1995, “There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.”This initiative ensures that pediatric innovation receives the attention and resources it critically needs.

Opportunities

The Hub will select promising individuals to help support their journey to become life-long Pediatric Innovators through highly effective innovation education and mentoring programs.

In addition, the hub will select promising innovation proposals for support through a yearly call for seed grant proposals.

For all participants, the Hub will provide mentoring, physical resources, expertise and community.

Information on the first call for applications will be posted on this website as soon as its available.