ProgramsSpring 2026 Live Case CompetitionProjectsBuilding the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultra...

Project Title: Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa

Inteleos Foundation

Details
Project Title Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
Project Topics Corporate Social Responsibility Data Management Growth Strategy International Affairs Policy Research, Policy Advocacy for Evidence based Policy Making Political Organization, Policy Change, and Advocacy Public Administration Research, Analysis, Evaluation Training & Development
Skills & Expertise Excel/Google Sheets financing analysis global health research methods impact evaluation modeling IRB protocol design literature review databases maternal health metrics mplementation science PowerPoint/Google Slides regulatory review stakeholder mapping structured AI-assisted research synthesis tools study design frameworks systems thinking
Project Synopsis: Challenge/Opportunity
Maternal mortality remains one of the most urgent global health challenges, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, where systemic gaps in early diagnosis, referral coordination, workforce capacity, and infrastructure continue to limit preventable maternal deaths. While point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has demonstrated transformative potential in improving maternal and neonatal outcomes, its scalable, evidence-backed integration into national health systems remains inconsistent. 

The Inteleos Foundation’s MedMissions Award 2026 initiative brings together a consortium of 6 Health NGOs, 5 Ministries of Health, and 1 corporate sponsor to explore structured ultrasound deployment in low-resource maternal health environments. However, for sustainable expansion and long-term funding, implementation must be supported by a robust evidence base demonstrating measurable clinical impact, cost-effectiveness, regulatory feasibility, and policy integration potential. 

The central challenge for this competition is: 

How can Inteleos Foundation design a multi-country research and implementation strategy that rigorously demonstrates the impact of point-of-care ultrasound on maternal health outcomes — while building a scalable, funder-attractive, policy-ready model for long-term adoption across Sub-Saharan Africa? 

This competition asks students to think beyond program design and into systems-level impact — combining implementation science, research design, regulatory awareness, and financing strategy into a unified, actionable framework.
Project Synopsis: Activities/Actions Required
Student teams will complete the following structured components: 

1. Evidence Landscape & Gap Analysis
Conduct a focused literature and data review to identify gaps in: 
  • Clinical evidence for ultrasound use in low-resource maternal settings
  • Health systems integration models
  • Workforce credentialing pathways (midwife- and nurse-led POCUS models)
  • Regulatory and IRB frameworks across African contexts
  • Sustainable financing models for maternal health technology

Teams must clearly articulate:
  • What evidence already exists
  • What evidence is insufficient or fragmented
  • What data funders and policymakers require but currently lack

2. Multi-Country Research Design Proposal (IRB-Ready Framework)
Develop a structured research proposal suitable for IRB submission that:
  • Evaluates independent NGO implementation plans within a shared consortium model
  • Integrates WHO maternal health indicators and national HMIS systems
  • Incorporates Inteleos training and credentialing data
  • Defines clear outcome measures
  • Includes data governance and ethical safeguards
  • Proposes appropriate study design (cluster randomized, stepped-wedge, quasi-experimental, etc.)
  • Accounts for cross-country variability

The proposal must address:
  • Primary and secondary endpoints
  • Sample selection strategy
  • Data collection protocols
  • Bias mitigation
  • Monitoring & evaluation cadence
  • Timeline and implementation phasing

3. Fundability & Impact Validation Framework
Identify and justify which metrics would most attract:
  • Philanthropic funders
  • Bilateral/multilateral agencies
  • Ministries of Health
  • Corporate partners
Teams must propose measurable indicators such as:
  • Maternal mortality reduction
  • Complication detection rates
  • Referral efficiency
  • Cost per life saved
  • Workforce retention and competency durability
  • Facility utilization improvements
Students must connect impact metrics to funding narratives.

 
4. Post-Implementation Scaling Strategy
Develop a practical scaling model that: 
  • Enables replication across additional countries
  • Aligns with regulatory environments
  • Builds Ministry ownership
  • Encourages open-access data collaboration
  • Incorporates sustainable training ecosystems
  • Defines long-term financing structures
Teams must articulate how early results transition into policy integration and scaled adoption.

 
5. “MedMissions Playbook” Blueprint
Design a structured playbook that captures:
  • Key implementation lessons
  • Performance drivers
  • Risk mitigation frameworks
  • Governance models
  • Data transparency protocols
  • Strategic partnership recommendations

This playbook should function as a replicable guide for future maternal health ultrasound initiatives.
Project Synopsis: Expected Results
Winning teams will demonstrate: 
  • A rigorous, realistic research design grounded in implementation science
  • Clear, measurable maternal health impact indicators
  • Strong integration of WHO and national health system frameworks
  • Practical regulatory and IRB awareness
  • Sustainable, funder-attractive financing models
  • A compelling, evidence-driven narrative for scaling
  • Clear alignment between data collection and policy adoption

Project Timeline

Touchpoints & Assignments Date Type

PRE-KICKOFF SELF EVAL

 Mar 15 2026, 23:59 PM Evaluation

Project Kickoff Webinar

 Mar 16 2026, 12:00 PM Canada/Eastern (UTC-04:00) Event

Milestone 1: Evidence Landscape & Maternal Health System Reality Check

 Mar 20 2026 Project Milestone

Submit Questions for Q&A In Advance

 Mar 24 2026, 17:00 PM US/Eastern (UTC-04:00) Action Item

SENSITIVE DATA DUMP (SEE "RESOURCES" TAB)

 Mar 25 2026, 12:00 PM Canada/Eastern (UTC-04:00) Event

Signed NDA

 Mar 25 2026, 14:00 PM Canada/Central (UTC-05:00) Action Item

Q&A Webinar

 Mar 27 2026, 13:00 PM Canada/Eastern (UTC-04:00) Event

Milestone 2: Research Design + IRB-Ready Evaluation Architecture

 Mar 29 2026 Project Milestone

Schedule Office Hours

 Mar 30 2026 Canada/Eastern (UTC-04:00) Event

Temperature Check (Mandatory Evaluation)

 Apr 02 2026, 23:59 PM Evaluation

Milestone 3: Fundability & Impact Validation Strategy

 Apr 03 2026 Project Milestone

Office Hours Closed!

 Apr 03 2026 Canada/Eastern (UTC-04:00) Event

Milestone 4: MedMissions Scaling Playbook + Written Memo Requirements

 Apr 09 2026, 17:00 PM Canada/Eastern (UTC-04:00) Project Milestone

Top 12 Teams Announced & Final Presentation Schedule Announced

 Apr 13 2026 Event

UPLOAD FINAL PRESENTATION (MANDATORY)

 Apr 16 2026, 23:59 PM US/Eastern (UTC-04:00) Project Milestone

FINAL PRESENTATIONS!

 Apr 17 2026, 10:00 AM Event

Awards Ceremony

 Apr 27 2026, 13:00 PM Canada/Eastern (UTC-04:00) Event

End of Project Peer Reflection (Mandatory)

 Apr 28 2026, 23:59 PM Canada/Eastern (UTC-04:00) Evaluation

End of Project Self Reflection (Mandatory)

 Apr 28 2026, 23:59 PM Canada/Eastern (UTC-04:00) Evaluation

Teams

Team Name  Project Name  Team Members 
Lindsey Wilson Group 30 Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
Lindsey Wilson Group 27 Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
Lindsey Wilson Group 4 Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
Berkeley BUS4451 Inteleos Team 1 Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
Lindsey Wilson Group 22 Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
Lindsey Wilson Group 5 Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
The Fab Kab Five Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
LeChosen Ones Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
The Inteleos Innovators Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
Ramz Enterprises Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
Vital Signs Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
Group 13 Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
Soundwave Survivors Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
Speed Stars Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
Lindsey Wilson Group 20 Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
Lindsey Wilson Group 23 Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
The StratEdgers Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
PowerHAUs Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
The Think Tanks Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
Team CSST Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
HAUlding Hands Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
Accoun-Tensity Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
The Executives Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
Group 15 Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
LWU Group 13 Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
LWU Group 19 Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
The Dream Team Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
BlueWave Imaging Solutions Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
Lewis & Clark State College Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
Lindsey Wilson Group 3 Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
Glasgow Givers Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
Lindsey Wilson Group 8 Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
The Three Stooges Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
LWU Group 12 Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
The Three Blind Mice Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
Obi-Scan Kenobi Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
Lindsey Wilson Group 6 Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
The Tweakers Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
Latinos Saving Lives Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
Frontier Consultants Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
HAU-SBA A337 Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
LWU Group 14 Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
Lindsey Wilson Group 26 Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
Lindsey Wilson Group 25 Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
Lindsey Wilson Group 28 Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
Lindsey Wilson Group 29 Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
KT Tape Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
LWU Ultra Care Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
HAU-SBA A337 Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
Berkeley BUS4451 Inteleos Team 2 Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa
Global Health Impact Building the Evidence Base: Advancing Maternal Health through Ultrasound Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa