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AIM-HI FY2025 Cohort 8

We are now accepting applications for the FY2025 AIM-HI Cohort 8, open to all ranks and AFSCs. Selection is highly competitive, aiming to build a diverse cohort of professionals committed to innovation and leadership.

Program Overview
The course spans 15 weeks and includes:

  • Mandatory Virtual Orientation: 12 Aug and 14 Aug – 3hrs each
  • In-Residence Weeks
    • 17-23 August 2025 @ Austin, Texas
    • 14-20 September 2025 @ Tucson, Arizona
    • 16-22 November 2025 @ TBD (most likely San Francisco, California area)

Between in-residence sessions, participants will engage in virtual weeks requiring 8–10 hours per week for individual work, team collaboration, and project development.

Commitment and Support
Applicants must secure their supervisor/commander’s support, as participation requires:

  • Unit-funded TDY travel for three in-residence weeks.
  • 8–10 hours weekly during virtual weeks for coursework, team events, and innovation projects.
    **NOTE: ARCWERX funds course seats, but all associated travel expenses are unit-funded. Supervisors must endorse and support participants’ attendance, acknowledging this program as a critical investment in innovation development.**

Key Program Components

    1. Prework (12-15 August 2025): Self-paced innovation fundamentals, iGenome analysis, and platform onboarding.
    2. Virtual Orientation: Two 3-hour sessions to prepare teams for hybrid collaboration.
    3. In-Residence Jumpstart Week (17-23 August 2025 @ Austin, Texas ): Team formation, instruction, creative exercises, and industry engagements. Focus on problem understanding and definition.
    4. Acceleration Phase I (24 August – 13 September 2025): Virtual sessions (8–10 hours/week) focusing on discovery and project ideation.
    5. In-Residence Midpoint Week (14-20 September 2025 @ Tucson, Arizona): Project development, advanced instruction, and industry engagement.Focus on experimentation and solutioning.
    6. Acceleration Phase II (21 September – 15 November 2025): Virtual sessions (8–10 hours/week) for team innovation refinement.
    7. In-Residence Pre-Pitch & Pitch Weeks (16-22 November 2025 @ TBD (most likely San Francisco, California area): Teams present final solutions for adoption or further development during a high-profile live capstone event that will also be broadcast via Zoom.

Team Structure and Focus
Participants will be organized into diverse teams of 5–6 members to foster collaboration and innovation through constructive dialogue. The program emphasizes leaving rank and pretense at the door to focus on personal and collective growth.

Certification
Upon successful completion, participants earn a Certified Professional Innovator credential through the University of Michigan’s College of Engineering.

Application Process
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with emphasis on diverse perspectives to enrich team innovation efforts.

Apply now

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