Global Biodesign Programs

The mission of the Stanford global Biodesign programs is to train the next generation of global medical technology innovators.  Key components of the mission are:

• find and develop in-country innovators in select geographies
• train our partner institutions in the teaching of biodesign methodology
• promote exposure to our US-based fellows and students to foreign medical technology opportunities
• develop devices that are cost-effective and globally relevant

Biodesign's Global History

We have initiated six programs to date.

A pilot program in Mexico at the ITESM was begun in 2006.

This was quickly followed by the creation of the India program (Stanford-India Biodesign) in 2007 with a four-fellow team coming to Stanford in 2008.

Discussions with Singapore began in 2009 and a Program Director was trained at Stanford in 2010; a four-person team will start the Singapore-Stanford Biodesign fellowship in January, 2011.

In 2011, we started the Global Exchange Program. In 2012 this was expanded into a grant making program and global Biodesign student exchange program.

In 2012 we collaborated with the School of Engineering to offer a Chinese Internship Program.

In 2013 we co-hosted the first BME-IDEA (Biomedical Engineering Innovation, Design, and Entrepreneurship Alliance) meeting in Galway, Ireland to connect the many European Biodesign-like programs that have been developed.

In 2013 we initiated Global Biodesign Affiliates. Ireland's BioInnovate Program is our first affiliate.

In 2015 we announced a Program Development Partnership with Japan through Tokyo, Tohoku and Osaka Universities.

In 2015 we ended the Stanford-India Biodesign program and our Indian partner started the School of International Biodesign - a fellowship based on the prior program but managed by the centre in India.