About the IDEA Initiative


Launched in 2016,

The IDEA (Innovation + Design Enabling Access) Initiative based at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health seeks to foster innovation and the design of new technologies for greater health access and impact through a combination of research, policy work, and training. It also collaborates with a variety of initiatives across Johns Hopkins University and beyond.

A brief overview of the Program’s activities is provided in this video.


The IDEA Initiative actively works…

To train the next generation of leaders to take on global health challenges. Featured below are some of the programs, workshops, events, and Public Health courses the IDEA Initiative has helped organize to further this goal. The IDEA Initiative also provides on a highly competitive basis research assistant positions, both during the academic year and summer sessions, teaching assistant opportunities, as well as mentorship through the Global Health Equity Scholars program.


The IDEA Initiative shapes…

Public policy in key global health areas by conducting research, training next generation leaders and civil society, supporting intergovernmental and other policy processes, and organizing strategic convenings.


The IDEA Initiative explores…

A number of concepts, ranging from Open Science and accountability technologies to health equity and the technology product lifecycle. Through these concepts, the IDEA Initiative fosters innovation and the development of new health technologies and novel ideas.