Apply to AIM-HI Cohort 5
Thank you for your interest in AIM-HI as you pursue professional development in innovation. The Kelly Johnson Joint All-Domain Innovation Center (KJJADIC) is sponsoring the next session AIM-HI Cohort 5 beginning in May 2023. As AIM-HI gains exposure and recognition with innovation success, the competitive demand for the 25 slots in each cohort is critical transformational innovation success. The KJJADIC seeks talented and motivated applicants committed to establish and develop their personal innovation journeys. AIM-HI will prioritize significant emphasis on supervisor/commander “buy in” for AIM-HI cohort applicant to model and exemplify the leadership acceptance of innovation for the future. Participants should have their commander’s support as they devote three (3) week of concentrated in-resident TDY sessions for instruction as well as 5-8 hours per week during the remainder of the program for virtual team events, personal study, and team innovation projects.
As part of the application process, supervisors will be asked for their support and endorsement as well as funding for up to three TDY’s for in-resident participation for each member. We believe that developing innovation through select individuals in AIM-HI is a critical investment for developing a Wing or Squadron innovation capability. Individual applicants should first gain support from your chain-of-command with explicit unit support.
Schedule and time commitment:
(a) Prework: Self-paced readings and videos (innovation fundamentals), iGenome analysis, and platform familiarization.
(b) In-Residence Jumpstart Week: Concentrated week of instruction, team formation, breakout sessions, creative exercises, and industry engagements.
(c) Acceleration: Virtual participation for 3 weeks in the discovery phase of innovation conception. Asynchronous and synchronous sessions. Estimated commitment is 5-8 hours per week. Participants will complete online course work while simultaneously working on an experiential project with their remote teammates. Coaching and mentorship is provided throughout the course.
(d) In-Residence Mid-Point Week: Concentrated week of instruction, team development, guided project advances, breakout sessions, creative exercises, and industry engagements.
(e) Acceleration: Virtual participation for 4 weeks in the development phase of team innovation. Asynchronous and synchronous sessions. Estimated commitment is 5-8 hours per week. Participants will complete online course work while simultaneously working on an experiential project with their remote teammates. Coaching and mentorship is provided throughout the course.
(d) In-Resident Innovation Showcase and Pitch Week: Each team will surge during the final week and pitch their solution for adoption or further development. The capstone pitch event, which is viewable on Zoom, is broadcast for the widest dissemination to sponsor organizations, senior leaders, MAJCOMs and COCOMs, as well as industry partners.
The successful completion of this course will result in a credential earned through the University of Michigan Ross School of Business and the College of Engineering in conjunction with Air University: Certified Professional Innovator. Up to 20% of participants will be given an opportunity to return to apprentice as Innovation Coaches under the leadership of Lt Col Dave Brewer, AIM-HI Director with guidance from Dr. Jeff DeGraff, University of Michigan and Robb Olsen, Duke University.
Cohort 5 applications are open through 14 April 2023. Participants may be admitted on a rolling basis. Each cohort of 25 comprising the innovation teams of 5-6 individuals on each team, is designed with diversity of perspectives and to encourage constructive conflict in the pursuit of greater outcomes. Be prepared to leave rank – and pretense – at the door. AIM-HI is dedicated to providing a growth experience designed to discover the individual strength of your ideas and the team’s ability to think big, together.