IMLAY INNOVATION FUND ADDRESSES CRITICAL PEDIATRIC HEALTH NEEDS:

CHILDREN’S HEALTHCARE OF ATLANTA & GEORGIA TECH

The Imlay Innovation Fund brings together clinicians from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) and engineers from Georgia Tech to solve critical health needs and develop technology solutions geared toward improving the health of children. The Fund is a source of annual seed money to test and pilot the most innovative solutions to these pediatric health problems. 

Funded by The Imlay Foundation through a $5 million endowed grant approved by the Foundation’s board in 2016 (then the largest in its 30-year history), and a $3 million addition to the endowment in 2021 as part of a 5-year, $10 million gift to CHOA’s Never Settle Campaign, a leadership team comprised of scientific, clinical, academic and administrative representatives from both institutions issues a request for proposals, which are then submitted to a joint faculty council for review and recommendation.  The leadership team reviews the faculty council recommendations and make the final funding decisions for each year.

The Imlay Innovation Fund provides initial funding to support “quick wins”, which can be implemented within 12-18 months, as well as funding to bridge the gap between basic research funding and commercial investment for critical high impact technology which can be turned into viable, permanent pediatric healthcare solutions.

The Imlay Innovation Fund honors John Imlay’s entrepreneurial legacy and his willingness to invest in innovative ideas and people to create a positive impact on the Atlanta community.  It also provides a unique vehicle to honor Mary Ellen Imlay’s love of CHOA and John’s love of Georgia Tech.

Since 2017, The now $8 million+ endowed Imlay Innovation Fund has awarded more than $1.25 million in grants to 9 CHOA-Georgia Tech pediatric partnership projects.