CNS Innovation
CNS Innovation Institute
To provide neurosurgeons at any point in their career with the tools, experience, mentors, and collaborations needed to develop cutting-edge innovations for the neurosurgical specialty.
A structured path from idea to transformative technology across four immersive phases.
Year 1 Fellowship
Innovation Lab
- Chicago
- Aug 6 – Aug 7, 2026
Launch your idea in an immersive, in-person experience at Neuro Innovate.
Community & Integration
- CNS Annual Meeting
- Oct 31 – Nov 4, 2026
Connect with leaders and showcase innovation at the CNS Annual Meeting.
Guided Development
- Virtual
Advance your concept through structured learning, mentorship, and iterative feedback.
Guided Development
Experience real-world innovation through curated visits with leading industry partners and institutions.
Year 2 Fellowship
Innovation Lab
Returning fellows will provide updates in their innovation process, participate in Shark-Tank Panels and fine-tune their projects
August 2027
Community & Integration
Expand relationships with industry leaders and work as mentors with first-year fellows
Oct. 23-27, 2027
Guided Development
- Virtual
Advance your concept through structured learning, mentorship, and iterative feedback.
Guided Development
Experience real-world innovation through curated visits with leading industry partners and institutions.
The idea is what matters.
Eligibility is broad by design and open to neurosurgeons at any career stage.
You have an idea.
You’re a neurosurgeon with a clinical problem, a device concept, a software idea, or a novel approach and you want a structured path to turn it into something real.
You’re building something.
Innovation institute Fellows gather for peer support at events like annual 2-day symposium at University of Chicago. TED-style presentations, Shark Tank evaluation, investor matchmaking.
Residents to attendings.
The program is open to neurosurgeons at any point in their career. Eligibility is broad by design–the idea is what matters.
A different kind of medical meeting
Designed to accelerate the journey from concept to company.
- Chicago
- Summer 2027
- Joint event with U of Chicago
- Free for neurosurgical innovators
- Annual matchmaking for innovators and investors/industry
Expert-Led Didactics
Focused morning sessions from leading neurosurgeons and industry executives covering regulatory pathways, funding, IP, reimbursement, and AI — the essentials of moving an idea to market.
Shark Tank Evaluation
Structured pitch sessions with directed feedback from experienced investors, CMOs, and startup founders.
Investor Matchmaking
Annual deal-making session that curates and pairs innovators with aligned investors and industry partners.
Note on program structure
The CNS Innovation Institute is the fellowship and ongoing program. The University of Chicago course is one touchpoint within that program. They are related but distinct. CNS is the organizing body; U of Chicago hosts the summer session.
Everything under the Institute umbrella.
Innovation Institute
The 2-year longitudinal fellowship. 15 participants per cohort. Application-based selection from candidates.
Applications open spring 2027
Innovation Institute x Neuro Innovate
Annual 2-day symposium at University of Chicago. TED-style presentations, Shark Tank evaluation, investor matchmaking.
- Learn more
TNT + Innovator of the Year
The program is open to neurosurgeons at any point in their career. Eligibility is broad by design–the idea is what matters.
- Learn more
Innovation programming woven throughout the CNS Annual Meeting every year.
Innovator of the Year Award
The annual recognition program honouring the most impactful neurosurgical innovator. Nominees from the Innovation Institute Fellowship are primary candidates.
- View award details
AI & Data Science Courses at the Annual Meeting
Annual Meeting course providing a framework for answering neurosurgical questions using AI models. Open to all attendees.
- View Meeting Sessions
Machine learning and AI training for the neurosurgeon of tomorrow.
The CNS has been a leader in bringing together neurosurgical education and advanced data science techniques. Computational techniques such as Machine Learning, Deep Learning, and AI are poised to revolutionize healthcare.
CNS+ App
CNS is revolutionizing neurosurgical practice with a groundbreaking AI-enhanced interface integrated into the CNS+ app. Intelligent guidelines, personalized content, and surgical planning tools.
- Explore CNS+ App
Data Science Scholar Program
The CNS Scholarship in Data Science opens up training opportunities in basic and advanced data science for neurosurgeons. Launched 2020, born from the 2018 Big Data Annual Meeting session.
- Learn about the program
AI Course
A structured course providing a framework for answering neurosurgical questions using data science models — covering ML fundamentals through clinical application.
- View course details
Learn, watch, and listen.
Neuro Innovate Course
Presented by the University of Chicago Department of Neurological Surgery and endorsed by CNS. Explores the latest advancements in neurotechnology and neuroscience, bringing together clinicians, researchers, and innovators to examine the tools and discoveries reshaping the field.
- View course details
Innovation Podcast
The CNS Innovation Podcast invites guest experts to discuss the latest innovations in technology, technique, and more in neurosurgery.
- Listen to podcast
Journal Club Podcast
In-depth discussions of landmark and current neurosurgical papers. Available on all major podcast platforms through CNS.
- Listen to podcast
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