Following the success of the inaugural Innovation Session in Prague, the World Health Organization and ESCEO are pleased to expand this initiative for the WCO-IOF-ESCEO 2027 Congress in Vienna.

Now presented as the WHO-ESCEO Bone and Joint Innovative Session, it will cover both osteoporosis and osteoarthritis innovation. On 8 April 2027, immediately before the Opening Ceremony, selected applicants will have 7 minutes to pitch the most innovative aspect of their current research or development to a live audience of leading experts.

Three prestigious awards will be announced at the Opening Ceremony: the WHO-ESCEO Innovation Prizes for Osteoarthritis Research, for Academic Research in Osteoporosis, and for Corporate Research in Osteoporosis. Applications demonstrating a high level of scientific excellence will also receive a WHO Collaborating Centre-ESCEO Certificate of Excellence.

Who can apply?

- The Bone Component is open to corporate members of PRECCO and academic researchers. 
- The Joint Component, for this inaugural edition, is open exclusively to industries. 
Innovations should be at least at the prototype or early implementation stage, with demonstrated feasibility.

Key dates

📅 2 November 2026: call for submissions opens (proposal, 5 pages max) 
📅 15 January 2027: deadline for submissions 
📅 8 April 2027: public pitching session and Award Ceremony, Vienna

More information 👇 
https://www.wco-iof-esceo.org/awards#award-whoesceo-innovation-prize