About the Grand Challenge

What is a grand challenge? It is a problem that is large, complex, and multi-faceted. Solving this problem requires a combination of technologies, treatments, approaches, and/or policies; and the solution will positively impact a great number of people.

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So what is the UAB Grand Challenge? 

In late 2017 and early 2018 numerous meetings, sessions, and gatherings were held across campus and in the community to discuss the concept of a UAB Grand Challenge.

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A call for ideas in the Spring of 2018 resulted in 77 concept papers on a multitude of topics.

Following a two-day workshop in the summer of 2018 with over 200 university and community participants, 13 teams self-formed to consolidate their ideas eventually leading to six fully-formed and worthy proposals.

These proposals were peer-reviewed by national experts and senior leaders at UAB. Difficult as it was to choose, they selected “Healthy Alabama 2030: Live HealthSmart” under the leadership of Dr. Mona Fouad.